Periodic table / Fluorine

Overview

Fluorine is a chemical element with symbol F and atomic number 9. It is the lightest halogen and exists as a highly toxic pale yellow diatomic gas at standard conditions. As the most electronegative element, it is extremely reactive:almost all other elements, including some noble gases, form compounds with fluorine.

Electron configuration

The electron configuration of Fluorine is [He] 2s2 2p5, with electron shells of 2, 7.

Physical and chemical properties

Fluorine is classified as a nonmetal. It has an atomic mass of 18.998 and exists as a gas at standard conditions.

Real-world uses of Fluorine

Fluorine plays an important role in chemistry and biology, and is used in industrial processes, manufacturing, or as a key component of compounds essential to life.

Interesting facts about Fluorine

• Fluorine has the atomic number 9 and chemical symbol F.
• It belongs to period 2, group 17 of the periodic table.
• Fluorine was discovered by André-Marie Ampère.

Explore Fluorine interactively

Want to compare Fluorine with other elements or see it highlighted on the full table? Open the interactive periodic table and click on F to explore properties, trends, and neighboring elements. You can also test your knowledge with our periodic table quiz game.