* Atomic Number: Fluorine's atomic number is 9. This means it has 9 protons.
* Neutral Atoms: In a neutral atom, the number of protons (positive charge) equals the number of electrons (negative charge). Therefore, fluorine has 9 electrons.
* Mass Number: Fluorine's most common isotope has a mass number of 19. The mass number represents the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.
* Calculating Neutrons: To find the number of neutrons, subtract the atomic number (number of protons) from the mass number: 19 - 9 = 10 neutrons.
Therefore, fluorine has 9 electrons and 10 neutrons.