Question

Fluorine (F) has seven electrons in its outermost shell. Fluorine _____.

Answer 1

Fluorine is a nonmetal and as such it would need to take in or obtain an electron from a metal to have a stable octet, or full number of 8 electrons in its valence shell. Thus due to the indifference of electrons and protons it becomes an anion, a negatively charged ion.

Answer 2

Answer: Option (b) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

Non-metals are the species that tend to gain electrons in order to complete their octet.

For example, atomic number of fluorine is 9 and its electronic distribution is 2, 7.

So, in order to completely fill its octet it needs to gain an electron. Hence, it means it is a non-metal.

Whereas elements that tend to lose electrons in order to attain stability are known as metals.

For example, atomic number of potassium is 19 and its electronic distribution is 2, 8, 8, 1. Hence, to attain stability it loses its 1 valence electron.

Thus, we can conclude that fluorine (F) has seven electrons in its outermost shell. Fluorine is a non-metal.