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Fluorine is a chemical element; it has symbol F and atomic number 9. It is the lightest halogen [note 1] and exists at standard conditions as pale yellow diatomic gas. Fluorine is extremely reactive as it reacts with all other elements except for the light inert gases. It is highly toxic.
Fluorine is a relatively new element in human applications. In ancient times, only minor uses of fluorine-containing minerals existed. The industrial use of fluorite, fluorine's source mineral, was first described by early scientist Georgius Agricola in the 16th century, in the context of smelting. The name "fluorite" (and later "fluorine ...
Fluorine forms compounds with all elements except neon and helium. In particular, it forms binary compounds , named fluorides , with all said elements except argon . All of the elements up to einsteinium , element 99, have been checked except for astatine and francium , [ 24 ] and fluorine is also known to form compounds with mendelevium ...
Fluorine biology is also relevant to a number of cutting-edge technologies. PFCs (perfluorocarbons) are capable of holding enough oxygen to support human liquid breathing. Organofluorine in the form of its radioisotope 18 F is also at the heart of a modern medical imaging technique known as positron emission tomography (PET).
Fluorapatite (Ca 5 (PO 4) 3 F) is mined along with other apatites for its phosphate content and is used mostly for production of fertilizers. Most of the Earth's fluorine is bound in this mineral, but because the percentage within the mineral is low (3.5%), the fluorine is discarded as waste. Only in the United States is there significant recovery.
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references. Fluoride (/ ˈflʊəraɪd, ˈflɔːr -/) [3] is an inorganic, monatomic anion of fluorine, with the chemical formula F−. (also written [F]−. ), whose salts are typically white or colorless.
References. [2][3][4][5] Fluorite (also called fluorspar) is the mineral form of calcium fluoride, CaF 2. It belongs to the halide minerals. It crystallizes in isometric cubic habit, although octahedral and more complex isometric forms are not uncommon. The Mohs scale of mineral hardness, based on scratch hardness comparison, defines value 4 as ...
Due to strong and extensive hydrogen bonding, it boils at near room temperature, much higher than other hydrogen halides. Hydrogen fluoride is an extremely dangerous gas, forming corrosive and penetrating hydrofluoric acid upon contact with moisture. The gas can also cause blindness by rapid destruction of the corneas.