Francium: Difference between revisions
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Francium is a highly radioactive [[alkali metal]] with the symbol Fr and atomic number 87. It is the second rarest naturally occurring element, after [[astatine]]. Francium is an element of the [[periodic table]] and belongs to the group of alkali metals, which also includes [[lithium]], [[sodium]], [[potassium]], [[rubidium]], and [[cesium]]. | |||
== | ==Discovery== | ||
Francium was discovered by [[Marguerite Perey | Francium was discovered in 1939 by [[Marguerite Perey]] at the [[Curie Institute]] in Paris. It was the last element to be discovered in nature, rather than synthesized in the laboratory, and was named after France, the country of its discovery. | ||
== | ==Properties== | ||
=== Physical | ===Physical Properties=== | ||
Francium is presumed to have a melting point of around 27 °C (81 °F) and a boiling point of about 677 °C (1251 °F) | Francium is a highly unstable and radioactive element. It is presumed to be a soft, metallic solid at room temperature, but due to its extreme rarity and radioactivity, its physical properties are not well characterized. Francium is expected to have a melting point of around 27 °C (81 °F) and a boiling point of about 677 °C (1251 °F). | ||
=== Chemical | ===Chemical Properties=== | ||
As an alkali metal, francium is expected to have similar chemical properties to other elements in its group. It is highly reactive, especially with water, forming francium hydroxide and releasing hydrogen gas. Francium is expected to form +1 oxidation state compounds, such as francium chloride (FrCl) and francium sulfate (Fr2SO4). | |||
== | ==Occurrence== | ||
Francium | Francium occurs naturally in trace amounts in uranium and thorium minerals, where it is produced by the alpha decay of actinium-227. It is estimated that there is less than one ounce of francium in the Earth's crust at any given time. | ||
== | ==Isotopes== | ||
Francium | Francium has no stable isotopes. The most stable isotope, francium-223, has a half-life of only 22 minutes. It decays into [[radium-223]] through beta decay. Due to its short half-life, francium is extremely rare and difficult to study. | ||
== Applications == | ==Applications== | ||
Due to its scarcity and radioactivity, francium has no significant commercial applications. It is primarily | Due to its scarcity and radioactivity, francium has no significant commercial applications. It is primarily of interest for research purposes in the fields of chemistry and nuclear physics. | ||
== See | ==Health and Safety== | ||
Francium is highly radioactive and poses significant health risks due to its intense radiation. It is not encountered outside of specialized research laboratories, and strict safety protocols are required when handling it. | |||
==See Also== | |||
* [[Alkali metal]] | * [[Alkali metal]] | ||
* [[Radioactivity]] | * [[Radioactivity]] | ||
* [[Periodic table]] | * [[Periodic table]] | ||
{{Element footer}} | |||
{{ | |||
[[Category:Alkali metals]] | |||
[[Category:Chemical elements]] | [[Category:Chemical elements]] | ||
[[Category:Radioactive elements]] | [[Category:Radioactive elements]] | ||
[[Category:1939 | [[Category:1939 introductions]] | ||
Revision as of 12:35, 31 December 2024
Francium
Francium is a highly radioactive alkali metal with the symbol Fr and atomic number 87. It is the second rarest naturally occurring element, after astatine. Francium is an element of the periodic table and belongs to the group of alkali metals, which also includes lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, and cesium.
Discovery
Francium was discovered in 1939 by Marguerite Perey at the Curie Institute in Paris. It was the last element to be discovered in nature, rather than synthesized in the laboratory, and was named after France, the country of its discovery.
Properties
Physical Properties
Francium is a highly unstable and radioactive element. It is presumed to be a soft, metallic solid at room temperature, but due to its extreme rarity and radioactivity, its physical properties are not well characterized. Francium is expected to have a melting point of around 27 °C (81 °F) and a boiling point of about 677 °C (1251 °F).
Chemical Properties
As an alkali metal, francium is expected to have similar chemical properties to other elements in its group. It is highly reactive, especially with water, forming francium hydroxide and releasing hydrogen gas. Francium is expected to form +1 oxidation state compounds, such as francium chloride (FrCl) and francium sulfate (Fr2SO4).
Occurrence
Francium occurs naturally in trace amounts in uranium and thorium minerals, where it is produced by the alpha decay of actinium-227. It is estimated that there is less than one ounce of francium in the Earth's crust at any given time.
Isotopes
Francium has no stable isotopes. The most stable isotope, francium-223, has a half-life of only 22 minutes. It decays into radium-223 through beta decay. Due to its short half-life, francium is extremely rare and difficult to study.
Applications
Due to its scarcity and radioactivity, francium has no significant commercial applications. It is primarily of interest for research purposes in the fields of chemistry and nuclear physics.
Health and Safety
Francium is highly radioactive and poses significant health risks due to its intense radiation. It is not encountered outside of specialized research laboratories, and strict safety protocols are required when handling it.
