# Tank of fluorine in swimming pool: what would happen?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tank-of-fluorine-in-swimming-pool-what-would-happen/249442>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 9, 2004, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tank-of-fluorine-in-swimming-pool-what-would-happen/249442 "2004-06-09T13:34:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2004, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tank-of-fluorine-in-swimming-pool-what-would-happen/249442/21 "2004-06-10T13:22:44Z")

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> [@Princhester](#):
>
> I’ve just finished Oliver Sachs story of his boyhood which is mostly about his early interest in Chemistry.

_Uncle Tungsten_. I’ve read that book at least twice and heartily recommend it to all and sundry.

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**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2004, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tank-of-fluorine-in-swimming-pool-what-would-happen/249442/22 "2004-06-10T17:32:17Z")

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> [@MikeS](#):
>
> Given that Cesium is in the same column of the periodic table as Sodium, and Fluorine and Chlorine also share a column, wouldn’t this be about as interesting as adding table salt to water? Hell, I do that every time I cook pasta.

You’re missing the point. Yes, cesium fluoride would be a dull, unreactive compound. I think what **Enola Straight** meant was the _reaction between cesium and fluorine to **make** _ the compound. THAT would be a big bang.

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**Author:** ![FX45\_4Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4bbf92/32.png) [@FX45\_4Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FX45_4Ever)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2004, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tank-of-fluorine-in-swimming-pool-what-would-happen/249442/23 "2004-06-10T18:07:39Z")

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Makes me think, buy some special sodium from eBay, and insert it into the special “Flux capacitor” add any household garbage which contains the slightest bit of moisture… whola. Hydrogen for your car, Special hydrogen fueled car!

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**Author:** ![Myglaren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@Myglaren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myglaren)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2004, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tank-of-fluorine-in-swimming-pool-what-would-happen/249442/24 "2004-06-10T21:46:17Z")

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> [@Ethilrist](#):
>
> I think the phrase you’re looking for is “earth-shattering kaboom.”

Except **Angua** has already copyrighted that one.

Hang on for the summons.

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