Question

The electronic configuration of fluoride ion is the same as that of a neon atom. What is the difference between the two?

Answer 1

The atomic number of Fluorine is 9 (2, 7) and Neon is 10 (2, 8). The electronic configuration of F and Ne is identical, with the same number of electrons (8) in their outermost shell. F gained one electron and became an anion (F⁻), whereas Ne remains an atom. Fluoride ions are negatively charged, while Neon atoms are neutral (inactive gas).