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What is Francium?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Francium is a radioactive chemical element which is classified among the alkaline earth metals on the periodic table. It is extremely unstable, with a very short half life — approximately 20 minutes — and, as a result, it has few applications outside the realm of scientific research. The bulk of the world's francium is synthesized in labs; it only appears in nature in very small trace amounts, and it is an extremely rare element. Due to its rarity, consumers are unlikely to interact with francium.

In nature, francium is found in small amounts in uranium ores. As it breaks down, it decays into radium, astatine, or radon. It can also be artificially created in a lab from actinium or thorium. Because the element is so short lived, little is known about it physical properties, although it presumably shares traits with other alkaline earth metals. On the periodic table of elements, francium is identified with the symbol Fr, and it has an atomic number of 87.

On the periodic table of elements, francium is identified with the symbol Fr, and it has an atomic number of 87.
On the periodic table of elements, francium is identified with the symbol Fr, and it has an atomic number of 87.

The existence of this element was hypothesized in the 1800s, but it was not isolated and confirmed until 1939. Credit for the discovery of the element goes to Marguerite Perey, who was exploring radioactive elements at the Curie Institute in Paris when she made her discovery. When she was offered the privilege of naming the element, she patriotically named it for its nation of discovery.

People who work with francium must be trained in proper safety protocols and use certain equipment to avoid exposure.
People who work with francium must be trained in proper safety protocols and use certain equipment to avoid exposure.

This element is used primarily in research, especially in the field of physics. It is also used in spectroscopy experiments to learn more about subatomic particles. Researchers have also experimented with creating more long lived versions of francium in the hopes of learning more about the element or of finding potential applications for it. It has been hypothesized that the element could, for example, be useful in nuclear medicine, if researchers could synthesize a stable version.

Decontamination methods for areas contaminated with radioactive elements typically include physical removal and safe disposal.
Decontamination methods for areas contaminated with radioactive elements typically include physical removal and safe disposal.

Like other radioactive elements, francium is toxic. Exposure to the element can cause radiation damage in the body, which can lead to long term health effects or more immediate health problems, depending on the amount of the dosage. People who work with this element typically only see very small amounts, which certainly reduces the risk, but they also take precautions to protect themselves from long-term high dosages.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllTheScience researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllTheScience researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

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Discussion Comments

anon354418

Name: Francium

Symbol: Fr

Atomic Number: 87

Atomic Mass: (223.0) amu

Melting Point: 27.0 °C (300.15 K, 80.6 °F)

Boiling Point: 677.0 °C (950.15 K, 1250.6 °F)

Number of Protons/Electrons: 87

Number of Neutrons: 136

Classification: Alkali Metal

Crystal Structure: Cubic

anon354072

What are the health concerns?

anon323084

What is the exact day that francium was discovered?

anon273111

Good, but how reactive is it?

anon172029

it is an alkali metal.

anon140220

i think it is alkali metal, not alkaline earth.

anon124906

This helped a little bit but you should put the atomic mass and the number of electrons and protons and neutrons and the boiling point and melting point on here. It would help a lot more!

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    • On the periodic table of elements, francium is identified with the symbol Fr, and it has an atomic number of 87.
      By: jelena zaric
      On the periodic table of elements, francium is identified with the symbol Fr, and it has an atomic number of 87.
    • People who work with francium must be trained in proper safety protocols and use certain equipment to avoid exposure.
      By: Destonian
      People who work with francium must be trained in proper safety protocols and use certain equipment to avoid exposure.
    • Decontamination methods for areas contaminated with radioactive elements typically include physical removal and safe disposal.
      By: Alvaro German Vilela
      Decontamination methods for areas contaminated with radioactive elements typically include physical removal and safe disposal.
    • Most francium is manufactured in labs, as it has few applications outside of scientific research.
      By: nandyphotos
      Most francium is manufactured in labs, as it has few applications outside of scientific research.