Question

How are the negative fluoride ions formed from fluorine atoms?

Answer 1

How else but by reduction?

Explanation:

Fluorine is the most reactive element on the Periodic Table, and will even oxidize oxygen to form `OF_2`.

We represent the reduction in the usual way:

`1/2F_2 + e^(-) rarr F^-` `E^@=2.87` `V`