Fluorine

Jim H

Fluorine 1s22s22p5 Atomic number – 9, Atomic mass – 18.998

Objective Fluorine has an extremely varied skill set and would be qualified in many different fields. Fluorine has many potential uses, whether it is in medicine (in fluoroquinolones, a type of antibiotics), air conditioning and refrigeration (in fluorochlorohydrocarbons, used extensively in those fields), pest control (in sodium fluoride, used as an insecticide mainly against cockroaches) or a variety of others. Fluorine’s ideal position, however, is to create inorganic compounds such as sodium fluoride and stannous fluoride in order to be used in toothpaste. This will greatly assist in the prevention of dental cavities. Fluorine is a passionate believer in healthy teeth. Fluorine is a member of the halogen family. It is extremely reactive, has nine protons, and it represented as the symbol F. It appears as a pale, poisonous, yellow-brown gas. Fluorine was first isolated by master chemist Henri Moissan in 1886, an amazing feat worthy of the 1906 Nobel Prize in chemistry. Henri attained this goal after almost 74 whole years of effort by other scientists. Since fluorine is exceptionally dangerous in some cases, it blinded or killed several chemists who attempted early experiments on it. These scientists came to be known as “fluorine martyrs.” Fluorine is important enough to have martyrs, therefore it must be an exceptional element.

Honors and Awards Most Chemically Reactive Element Highest Electronegativity Most Dangerous Halogen Fluorine is extremely important to humans, as it is a daily requirement for maintaining dental health. It has a prominent role in preventing tooth decay. Therefore, it is considered an essential trace element.

Experience and Skills Fluorine easily forms compounds with most other elements, as it is the most reactive of them all. Fluorine can even combine with noble gases, including argon, krypton, xenon, and radon. Fluorine has the ability to react explosively with hydrogen even in dark, cool conditions. Fluorine is so reactive that metals and even water burn with a bright flame in a jet of fluorine gas. Fluorine can help prevent cavities!

Referrals Radon - Fluorine is an incredibly unique element. I am one of the least reactive of all the elements and yet, fluorine still manages to form a bond with me. Being a noble gas, it is very difficult to bond with another element. However, fluorine still found a way to manage this feat. I am very grateful for fluorine. Sodium - Fluorine and I make a great team. Together, we have the useful ability to increase the strength of teeth enamel. This is one of the main reasons why fluorine became so well-known and loved. Uranium - Fluorine is used in the production of pure uranium from uranium hexafluoride. Without this useful skill of fluorine’s, I (pure uranium) might not even exist!

Citations

“fluorine.” Answers. N.p., 6 May 2009. Web. 1 Dec. 2009. . “Fluorine.” Periodic Table of the Elements. N.p., 2003. Web. 1 Dec. 2009. . Obikoya, George. “Fluoride Benefits.” The Vitamins & Nutrition Center. N.p., 2009. Web. 1 Dec. 2009. .