Fluoride vs. Chlorine — What's the Difference?

Fluoride () is an inorganic, monatomic anion of fluorine, with the chemical formula F− (also written [F]−), whose salts are typically white or colorless. Fluoride salts typically have distinctive bitter tastes, and are odorless.

Chlorine is a chemical element with the symbol Cl and atomic number 17. The second-lightest of the halogens, it appears between fluorine and bromine in the periodic table and its properties are mostly intermediate between them.

A compound of fluorine with another element or group, especially salt of the anion F⁻ or an organic compound with fluorine bonded to an alkyl group.

A highly irritating, greenish-yellow halogen element, existing as a diatomic gas, Cl2, and capable of combining with nearly all other elements, produced principally by electrolysis of sodium chloride and used widely to disinfect water, as a bleaching agent, and in the manufacture of many important compounds including chlorates, sodium hypochlorite, and chloroform. Atomic number 17; atomic weight 35.453; freezing point -100.5°C; boiling point -34.04°C; specific gravity 1.56 (-33.6°C); valence 1, 3, 5, 7. See Periodic Table.

Sodium fluoride or another fluorine-containing salt added to water supplies or toothpaste in order to reduce tooth decay.

A toxic, green, gaseous chemical element (symbol Cl) with an atomic number of 17.

Univalent fluorine, or a compound of fluorine, especially a binary compound of fluorine with a more electropositive element.

(countable) A single atom of this element.

(chemistry) Any salt of hydrofluoric acid; for example, potassium fluoride.

One of the elementary substances, commonly isolated as a greenish yellow gas, two and one half times as heavy as air, of an intensely disagreeable suffocating odor, and exceedingly poisonous. It is abundant in nature, the most important compound being common salt (Sodium chloride). It is powerful oxidizing, bleaching, and disinfecting agent. Symbol Cl. Atomic weight, 35.4.

(chemistry) A binary compound of fluorine and another element or radical.

A common nonmetallic element belonging to the halogens; best known as a heavy yellow irritating toxic gas; used to purify water and as a bleaching agent and disinfectant; occurs naturally only as a salt (as in sea water)

A binary compound of fluorine with another element or radical.

A salt of hydrofluoric acid