Which material-related element is used both in contact lenses and cooking ware?

• A. Hydrogen
• B. Fluorine
• C. Oxygen
• D. Nitrogen

Answer: (B)

Fluorine stands out because it gives materials two very useful properties that show up in both eyes and the kitchen: low surface energy and strong chemical bonds. In nonstick cookware, fluorinated polymers like PTFE rely on carbon–fluorine bonds to create a slick, heat-stable surface that foods don’t cling to and that resists high temperatures. For contact lenses, fluorine is used in fluorinated monomers to make polymers with high oxygen permeability and a stable, low-energy surface. This helps the lens stay comfortable and allows more oxygen to reach the cornea, while also improving surface characteristics. So fluorine is the element that connects both applications.