Cobalt(II) fluoride Cobalt(II) fluoride Cobalt(II) fluoride is a chemical compound with the formula (CoF). It is a pink crystalline solid compound which is antiferromagnetic at low temperatures (T=37.7 K) The formula is given for both the red tetragonal crystal, (CoF), and the tetrahydrate red orthogonal crystal, (CoF·4HO). CoF is used in oxygen-sensitive fields, namely metal production. In low concentrations, it has public health uses. CoF is sparingly soluble in water. The compound can be dissolved in warm mineral acid, and will decompose in boiling water. Yet the hydrate is water-soluble, especially the di-hydrate CoF·2H O and tri-hydrate CoF·3HO forms of the compound.
Chemical element plants, the calcium in mollusc shells, or the iron in the hemoglobin in vertebrate animals' red blood cells. The concept of an "element" as an undivisible substance has developed through three major historical phases: Classical definitions (such as those of the ancient Greeks), chemical definitions, and atomic definitions. Ancient philosophy posited a set of classical elements to explain observed patterns in nature. These "elements" originally referred to "earth", "water", "air" and "fire" rather than the chemical elements of modern science. The term 'elements' ("stoicheia") was first used by the Greek philosopher Plato in about 360 BCE in his dialogue Timaeus,