Why does fluorine react with almost everything?
Quick Answer
Fluorine is extremely reactive because it is very eager to gain one electron and complete its outer shell. Its small size and high electronegativity make it one of the most aggressive elements chemically.
The Full Story
Fluorine is the most electronegative element, meaning it pulls electrons toward itself more strongly than any other element. It needs just one electron to fill its outer shell, and its tiny atomic size intensifies that pull. As a result, fluorine reacts with many substances, sometimes violently, forming fluorides with metals and nonmetals alike. Because of this, elemental fluorine is difficult and dangerous to handle, and it must be used with great care.
Key Facts
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"Why is fluorine the periodic tableβs most aggressive element?"