Net Charge of Fluorine Atom: Is it Possible?

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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
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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?
 
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  • #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?
 

FAQ: Net Charge of Fluorine Atom: Is it Possible?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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