Atomic Properties of F
- Atomic Number of F
- 9
- Atomic Mass of F
- 18.9980 u
- Electron Configuration
- [He] 2s2 2p5
- Electronegativity
- 3.98
- Block
- p-block
- Group
- 17
- Period
- 2
Fluorine (F) is element 9 on the periodic table. Atomic mass of F: 18.9980 u. F is in period 2, group 17. Melting point of F: 53.48 K.Density of F: 0.00 g/cm³.
The most reactive element—in your toothpaste and non-stick pans
Not essential but beneficial for teeth. Fluoride strengthens enamel by forming fluorapatite. Excessive fluoride causes fluorosis (tooth/bone damage).
Discovered by Henri Moissan in France, 1886
Name origin: Latin: fluere (flow).
A poisonous pale yellow gaseous element belonging to group 17 of the periodic table (The halogens). It is the most chemically reactive and electronegative element. It is highly dangerous, causing severe chemical burns on contact with flesh. Fluorine was identified by Scheele in 1771 and first isolated by Moissan in 1886.
Fluorine has 1 naturally occurring isotope, plus 1 notable radioactive isotope.
| Isotope | Atomic Mass (u) | Abundance | Half-Life | Decay Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 189F (F-18)Fluorine-18 isotope | 18.0009377 | 0% | 109.8 minutes | β⁺, EC |
| 199F (F-19)Fluorine-19 isotope | 18.99840316 | 100.00% | — | — |
Data source: NIH PubChem (aggregated from IUPAC, NIST)
Isotopes of Fluorine have important real-world applications in science and industry.
18F is a radioactive fluorine isotope that is used in an 18F-FDG compound (18F-labeled, fluoro-deoxy glucose) for imaging the organs, bones, tissues, and brain of the body with a technique called positron emission tomography (PET). The 18F-FDG compound is injected and the isotopically labeled glucose is consumed by any cell requiring glucose as a source of energy [98], [99]. – 18F emits positrons that collect in tissue and interact with regular negative electrons when injected into the body. The positrons and electrons annihilate each other, producing two gamma rays that are emitted in opposite directions. The radiation is detected on a PET camera, which generates a picture of the body part being examined (Fig. IUPAC.9.1). –Because 18F has a short half-life of about 110 min, there is little chance of radiation damage to the patient.
Used in refrigerants and other fluorocarbons. Also in toothpaste as sodium fluoride (NaF) and stannous fluoride (SnF2); also in Teflon.
Found in the minerals fluorite (CaF2) and cryolite(Na3AlF6). Electrolysis of hydrofluoric acid (HF) or potassium acid fluoride (KHF2) is the only practical method of commercial production.
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