What is Fluorine? An overview of the Fluorine Element
In a general overview of the element we can at first describe Fluorine as a pale yellow, white or colourless gas which can sometimes be fluorescent. It is present in volcanic gases and thermal waters. Its chief source is fluorite but it also occurs in cryolite, seawater, bones, and teeth. Fluorine can only be produced by electrolysis under special conditions. Its most important compounds are fluorite, cryolite, and topaz.

Periodic Table Group and Classification of the of the Fluorine Element
Elements can be classified based on their physical states (States of Matter) e.g. gas, solid or liquid. This element is a gas. Fluorine is classified as an element in the 'Halogens' section which can be located in group 7 of the Periodic Table. The term "halogen" means "salt-former" and compounds containing halogens are called "salts". The halogens exist, at room temperature, in all three states of matter - Gases such as Fluorine & Chlorine, Solids such as Iodine and Astatine and Liquid as in Bromine. For additional facts refer to Fluorine Properties.

Origin / Meaning of the name Fluorine
The name 'Flourine' was coined in 1813 the by English chemist Sir Humphry Davy from fluorspar, the name of the mineral where it was first found. Fluorspar is the chief ore of fluorine. Its composition is calcium fluoride. The mineral name of fluorspar was given by Georg Agricola in 1546, translating the German name flusse from the Latin word fluxus meaning "flowing or to flow". In metallurgy, a flux is also derived from the Latin word fluxus and is a chemical cleaning agent or flowing agent.

Facts about the Discovery and History of the Fluorine Element
First described in 1529 by Georigius Agricola (1494-1555) for its use as a flux. In 1813 Sir Humphry Davy experimented with Fluorspar and attempted the extraction of Flourine, but failed. George Gore was able to produce a small amount of fluorine through an electrolytic process in 1869. It was successfully isolated by Henri Moissan, a French chemist, in 1886. He achieved this through the electrolysis of potassium fluoride and hydrofluoric acid. In 1906 Henri Moissan won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work in isolating fluorine from its compounds.

Henri Moissan (1852-1907)

History of the Periodic Table
Check out the brief History of the Periodic Table which details dates and the names of famous scientists and chemists who contributed to the development of the Periodic Table.

Occurrence of the Fluorine Element
Obtained from the mineral fluorite

Abundances of the element in different environments
% in Universe 0.00004%
% in Sun 0.00005%
% in Meteorites 0.0087%
% in Earth's Crust 0.054%
% in Oceans 0.00013%
% in Humans 0.0037%

Medical Uses of Fluorine - Health and Treatments - Dental Care
Interesting information on the Medical Uses of Fluorine, Health and Treatments. Small amounts of sodium fluoride added to the water supplies will reduce the incidence of dental cavities, particularly among children. Excessive amounts of fluoride can mottle tooth enamel and cause osteosclerosis (an area of dense but normal bone in the jaws).

Associated Uses of Fluorine
Soluble fluorides added to public water supplies have reduced the incidence of tooth decay. It is also used in Toothpaste. Other uses of Fluorine include the extraction of uranium, in Air conditioning and Refrigeration and also as an insecticide. Fluorocarbons such as Teflon have found extensive use as lubricants because of their low friction.