Why oxidation number of fluorine is always -1?

Answer 1

Flourine has an oxidation number of -1 one because it only needs one electron to become stable ( to have neon's stractures), Hydrogen is the same thing. one electron away from being stable. oxidation numbers of elements are their electric charges on the Periodic Table. O2(g) has an oxidation number of 0, along with all the diatomics, Oxyden in a compound has ON of of -2, H has +1, the rest you calculate using algebra.

Answer 2

They have 7 valence electrons, addition of 1 more electron will give them the electronic configuration of the nearest noble gas and hence they generally have -1 oxidation number

(minus denotes addition of electron)

Note that with the exception of fluorine halogens can have oxidation numbers higher than one. For example in ClO4- ion the oxidation number of Cl is +7

Answer 3

Fluorine has 7 valence electrons. It will accept one electron to form fluorine ion to attain noble gas configuration. Hence it has -1 oxidation number.

Fluorine is the most electronegative element. It cannot lose electron, hence it doesn't have any other oxidation number.

Answer 4

A fluorine atom has 7 valence (outer-shell) electrons. To fulfill the octet rule, it needs one more valence electron for a total of 8. This one extra electron in the fluoride ion causes a -1 charge.

Answer 5

Fluorine when in compounds always has an oxidation number of -1. It is the most electronegative element.