Source of Fluorine Gas
In 2012, the first source of naturally occurring fluorine gas was found in fluorite mines in Bavaria, Germany. It was previously thought that fluorine gas did not occur naturally because it is so reactive and would rapidly react with other chemicals. Fluorite is normally colourless but some varied forms found nearby look black and are known as 'fetid fluorite' or antozonite. The minerals, containing small amounts of uranium and its daughter products, release radiation sufficient enough to cause the fluoride anions within the structure to group together, forming fluorine gas; this gas then becomes trapped inside the mineral until it can diffuse out. The colour of fetid fluorite is predominantly due to the calcium atoms remaining. Solid state fluorine-19 NMR was carried out on the gas escaping the antozonite, and a peak was found at 425 ppm which is consistent with the difluoride structure of F2.
Read more about this topic: Calcium Fluoride
Famous quotes containing the words source of, source and/or gas:
“It is the child in man that is the source of his uniqueness and creativeness, and the playground is the optimal milieu for the unfolding of his capacities and talents.”
—Eric Hoffer (19021983)
“Life has no other discipline to impose, if we would but realize it, than to accept life unquestioningly. Everything we shut our eyes to, everything we run away from, everything we deny, denigrate or despise, serves to defeat us in the end. What seems nasty, painful, evil, can become a source of beauty, joy and strength, if faced with an open mind. Every moment is a golden one for him who has the vision to recognize it as such.”
—Henry Miller (18911980)
“Droning a drowsy syncopated tune,
Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon,
I heard a Negro play.
Down on Lenox Avenue the other night
By the pale dull pallor of an old gas light”
—Langston Hughes (19021967)