Page 181 - The Periodic Table Book

Uses HENRI MOISSAN

In the early 1800s,
These circuit breakers, containing a chemists in Europe
compound of fluorine and sulfur, cut realized that minerals
electricity supply in an emergency.
such as fluorite
contained an unknown
element. However, it
took another 70 years
before the French
chemist Henri Moissan The Halogen Group
extracted pure fluorine
following a series of
dangerous experiments
that even poisoned
him several times.

Etched glass vase
Circuit breakers Fluorine-rich plastic
clothing repels water.
These patterns
form after the Ceramic pot
surface of the glass
is burned by an The shiny coating
acidic fluorine on this ceramic dish
compound.
is from a fluorine-
containing glaze.

Waterproof clothing

Upon injection,
this fluorine-
PTFE rich liquid heals
damaged tissues
was used by by carrying
NASA to make oxygen to them.
This pan has a PTFE spacesuits Oxycyte
coating that resists heat. because it protected
against heat. Some toothpastes contain
fluorides that harden tooth enamel.

Non-stick pan Toothpaste

Some glazes used to coat ceramics contain slippery and prevents food that has burned while
fluorine minerals. When heated, these glazes cooking from sticking to the pan. Thin fibres
release fluorine, which hardens the ceramic made of PTFE are also used to make lightweight,
underneath. Another compound called waterproof clothing. One of the most common
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is commonly uses of fluorine compounds is in toothpaste:
used to make non-stick pans: this material is they toughen teeth against decay. 179

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