Fluorine+2

=~FLUORINE~ = By Summer Webster and Ashlyn Chebro

= __Introduction:__ = Fluorine is a gaseous halogen with the atomic number nine, found in group seventeen and represented by the letter 'F' on the periodic table. It's electron configuration is [He] 2s2 2p5. It was first described as 'Fluorspar' and used as Flux in 1529 by Georigius Agricola and was not isolated until 1866 by Moissan nearly seventy-four years later. It is the most electronegative and reactive of all the elements. It is a pale, yellow corrosive gas that will react with nearly anything, producing a bright flame. Fluorine is used in uranium, and over one hundred other fluorochemicals. = __History of Discovery and Use:__ = In 1670 George Gore made fluorine without knowing by using calcium fluoride (known at the time as Bohemian Emerald) to etch glass. While using the electrolytic process he created a bit of fluorine which met the hydrogen from one of his electrodes that he was using causing his apparatus to explode. This lead to the discovery of fluorine. Then during World War 2 the U.S. used it to make uranium hexafluoride to be used for the first atomic bombs. Now a days we use fluorine in healthy amounts in our toothpaste and city water to prevent tooth decay, etch glass, separate isotopes of uranium, and lenses to focus infrared lights.

=**__Economics:__**= Fluorine isn't used in products very often due to its high reactivity. Sometimes it is used in the production of some low-friction plastics such as teflon. Fluorochlorohydrocarbons used to be used extensively in air conditioning and refrigeration. It also can be found in toothpastes and some drinking water to prevent dental cavities. Some insecticides contain fluorine as a poison. During World War II, Fluorine was made into a compound; uranium hexafluoride which produces fuel for nuclear reactors and weapons such as atomic bombs. = __Environment:__ = Fluorine is often found in animals and plants as well as minerals. It is never found in nature in its gas form but usually in a compound. In the form of fluoracetate it is used as a defense against herbivores by plants. Another place fluorine can be found is in our teeth and bones to help strengthenthem. An example of a mineral compound that fluorine is in is fluorite.

=**__Health:__**= Fluorine can be found in small amounts in nature. Small amounts of it are used for maintaining the solidity of our bones. It's compound, fluoride, is mostly used in toothpastes to prevent dental decay, but too much of it can actually promote decay. Too much fluoride can result in diseases such as skeletal fluorosis and, bone and joint-related ailments. Fluorine in its gaseous state is extremely harmful if exposed to large amounts of it, and results in death due to lung damage. In small amounts, the gas can cause lung, nose and eye irritations.

= __Chemistry/Physics:__ = Fluorine is the most reactive element as well as the most electronegative. Severe burns that are hard to treat are made when human flesh and a jet of fluorine from a pressure container come into contact with each other. Another reaction is when mixed with hydrogen a violent explosion occurs. If fluorine were to interact with water, ozone and hydrofluoric acid would be created. These are only a few of the many of the many reactions fluorine can have with other elements and people.
 * Mass: 18.9984032[[image:http://www.green-planet-solar-energy.com/images/fluorine-bohr.gif width="242" height="243" align="right" caption="Model of a Fluorine atom."]]
 * Atomic Number: 9
 * Non-Metal
 * Greenish-Yellow Gas
 * Freezing and Melting Temp: -363.62 F or -219.62 C
 * Boiling Temp: -306.62 F or -188.12 C
 * Density: .001696 grams per cubic centimeter
 * Non-Flammable
 * Electron Configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p 5

=__Fun/Interesting Facts: __=
 * Large amounts of Fluorine can be found in certain tea and shellfish.
 * The word originates from the Latin 'fluo' meaning 'flow'.
 * Fluoride is the only chemical added to water for medicinal purposes (preventing tooth decay).
 * Fluorine is the most electronegative and reactive chemical element.
 * Fluorine can be used to make rocket fuel.

 Here is a short video demostrating the reactions between Fluorine and other elements;

media type="youtube" key="mG6EG_igTGw?fs=1" height="385" width="480" align="center"

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