Net Charge of Fluorine Atom: Is it Possible?

  • Thread starter Procrastinate
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Charge Net
In summary: Yes, you can. 9 has 2 protons and 9 electrons, so it would have a net charge of -1. 20 has 20 protons and 10 electrons, so it would have a net charge of +10.
  • #1
Procrastinate
158
0
This is probably a simple question but it has absolutely annoyed me for a week at University (yes, I know, I am still learning this, laugh away).

I am meant to identify the atom/ion and the net charge of it.

This is the information I am given:

Protons: 9
Neutrons: 10
Electrons: 20

The Atomic Number is quite straightforward - 9. Therefore, it is Fluorine. However what I can't figure out is the net charge - is it even possible for a Fluorine atom to gain 11 more electrons if it needs only to remove 2 valence electrons to pursue a full outer shell?

Otherwise, the net charge would be -5, is this right?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Hi Procrastinate! :smile:
Procrastinate said:
The Atomic Number is quite straightforward - 9. Therefore, it is Fluorine. However what I can't figure out is the net charge - is it even possible for a Fluorine atom to gain 11 more electrons if it needs only to remove 2 valence electrons to pursue a full outer shell?

Yes, I'd be surprised if you could add that many electrons. :confused:
Otherwise, the net charge would be -5, is this right?

I'm fascinated to know how you got -5. :smile:
 
  • #3
tiny-tim said:
Hi Procrastinate! :smile:
I'm fascinated to know how you got -5. :smile:

When you add all the electrons, you get a new valence electron number of 5. However, now that I think about it, I did it wrong, so it's net charge would be -3 as it would want to acquire three electrons to attain a full outer shell.

I am not sure if this is right though since I never understood from the beginning if 11 electrons added to a Fluorine atom was logistically possible.
 
  • #4
No idea what you are calculating. Let's put apart fact that 11 electrons excess is absurd (my guess is that it is a typo, and it was intended to be 10 electrons). What is the definition of a net charge?
 
  • #5
Borek said:
No idea what you are calculating. Let's put apart fact that 11 electrons excess is absurd (my guess is that it is a typo, and it was intended to be 10 electrons). What is the definition of a net charge?

It would be the overall charge on an atom (after it has been ionised, so it would be called an "ion". So if you had 3 protons and 2 electrons, for example, it would be a +1 charge.
 
  • #6
3-2=1. Can you apply exactly the same simple logic to 9 and 20?
 

1. What is the net charge of a fluorine atom?

The net charge of a fluorine atom is 0. This is because fluorine has 9 protons and 9 electrons, making it neutral.

2. Can a fluorine atom have a positive net charge?

No, a fluorine atom cannot have a positive net charge. This is because it would require the atom to lose electrons, which is energetically unfavorable for fluorine.

3. Is it possible for a fluorine atom to have a negative net charge?

Yes, a fluorine atom can have a negative net charge. This can occur if the atom gains an extra electron, making it negatively charged.

4. How does the net charge of a fluorine atom affect its reactivity?

The net charge of a fluorine atom does not significantly affect its reactivity. Fluorine is already a highly reactive element due to its electronegativity, regardless of its net charge.

5. Can the net charge of a fluorine atom change?

Yes, the net charge of a fluorine atom can change. This can happen through chemical reactions where the atom gains or loses electrons, or through nuclear reactions that change the number of protons in the nucleus.

Similar threads

Chemistry How do we know ##BF_3## has Lewis structure but ##Al_2S_3## does not?
    • Biology and Chemistry Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
612
Chemistry Creating KF Molecule from Neutral Atoms: A Process of Ionization and Binding
    • Biology and Chemistry Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
1K
Can every atom be transformed into a noble gas?
    • Chemistry
Replies
3
Views
879
B Can a hypothetical atom be made out of positrons and electrons ?
    • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
9
Views
1K
Chemistry Measuring the Mass & Electric Charge of Molecules
    • Biology and Chemistry Homework Help
Replies
17
Views
2K
B How is surface charge accumulated?
    • Electromagnetism
2
Replies
36
Views
3K
B Problems I Have With Electrostatics and Pith Ball Experiments
    • Classical Physics
Replies
10
Views
2K
What is the net charge on a magnesium ion after losing two electrons?
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
1K
Can we apply the concept of net charge to subatomic particles?
    • Electromagnetism
Replies
5
Views
1K
When does an atom become a cation and an anion?
    • Biology and Chemistry Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
13K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top