Francium (Fr)

General Information

• Symbol: Fr
• Atomic Number: 87
• Atomic Weight: [223] u (varies due to multiple isotopes)
• Element Category: Alkali metal
• Group: 1
• Period: 7
• Block: s-block

Physical Properties

• Appearance: Unknown; likely metallic and possibly similar to cesium
• Density: Estimated around 2.48 g/cm³
• Melting Point: Estimated around 27 °C (81 °F)
• Boiling Point: Estimated around 677 °C (1251 °F)
• Phase at STP: Solid (predicted)
• Electron Configuration: [Rn] 7s¹
• Oxidation States: +1 (most common)

Chemical Properties

• Reactivity: Francium is highly reactive, more so than cesium, and reacts vigorously with water and air.
• Compounds: Forms compounds such as francium chloride (FrCl) and francium hydroxide (FrOH), although these compounds are not well-studied due to the element’s rarity and radioactivity.

Uses and Applications

• Scientific Research: Primarily used in research due to its scarcity and radioactivity.
• Spectroscopic Studies: Used to study atomic structure and behavior of heavy alkali metals.

Occurrence and Extraction

• Natural Occurrence: Found in trace amounts in uranium and thorium ores as a decay product of actinium-227. It is extremely rare in nature.
• Extraction: Typically produced synthetically in particle accelerators by bombarding thorium or radium with protons.

Isotopes

• Stable Isotopes: Francium has no stable isotopes.
• Radioactive Isotopes: Francium-223 is the most stable isotope with a half-life of about 22 minutes. Other isotopes include Francium-221 and Francium-224, which have even shorter half-lives.

Safety and Handling

• Hazards: Francium is highly radioactive and poses severe health risks due to its intense radioactivity. It decays quickly, emitting alpha particles.
• Precautions: Handle with extreme caution using specialized protective equipment and facilities designed to contain radioactivity. Francium is usually handled in very small amounts under controlled conditions.

History

• Discovery: Discovered by Marguerite Perey in 1939.
• Name Origin: Named after France, the homeland of its discoverer.

Additional Facts

• Crystal Structure: Unknown
• Magnetic Properties: Unknown
• Thermal Conductivity: Unknown
• Electrical Resistivity: Unknown

Summary

Francium is a highly radioactive alkali metal known for being the most unstable of the first 101 elements on the periodic table. It is extremely rare and found in trace amounts in uranium and thorium ores. Discovered by Marguerite Perey in 1939, francium is primarily used in scientific research due to its scarcity and intense radioactivity. Francium is highly reactive and dangerous, requiring specialized handling and equipment.

40 Question and Answer Pairs About Francium

1. What is the atomic number of Francium?

   • 87

2. What is the symbol for Francium?

   • Fr

3. What is the atomic weight of Francium?

   • [223] u (varies due to multiple isotopes)

4. In which group of the periodic table is Francium found?

   • Group 1 (Alkali metals)

5. What period is Francium in?

   • Period 7

6. What block does Francium belong to?

   • s-block

7. What is the estimated melting point of Francium?

   • Around 27 °C (81 °F)

8. What is the estimated boiling point of Francium?

   • Around 677 °C (1251 °F)

9. What is the estimated density of Francium?

   • Around 2.48 g/cm³

10. What is the electron configuration of Francium?

    • [Rn] 7s¹

11. What are the common oxidation states of Francium?

    • +1

12. What is the appearance of Francium?

    • Unknown; likely metallic and similar to cesium

13. Is Francium reactive with air?

    • Yes, it is highly reactive with air and water.

14. Name a compound of Francium.

    • Francium chloride (FrCl)

15. What is a common use of Francium in scientific research?

    • Used to study atomic structure and behavior of heavy alkali metals.

16. How is Francium used in spectroscopic studies?

    • Due to its heavy atomic weight, it is used to study atomic interactions and structure.

17. What role does Francium play in nature?

    • Found in trace amounts as a decay product of actinium-227 in uranium and thorium ores.

18. How is Francium typically produced?

    • By bombarding thorium or radium with protons in particle accelerators.

19. What is the most stable isotope of Francium?

    • Francium-223

20. What is the half-life of Francium-223?

    • About 22 minutes

21. What safety hazard is associated with Francium?

    • It is highly radioactive and poses severe health risks.

22. Who discovered Francium?

    • Marguerite Perey

23. Where does the name Francium come from?

    • Named after France

24. What is the crystal structure of Francium?

    • Unknown

25. Is Francium paramagnetic or diamagnetic?

    • Unknown

26. What is the thermal conductivity of Francium?

    • Unknown

27. What is the electrical resistivity of Francium?

    • Unknown

28. What is the primary oxidation state of Francium?

    • +1

29. Is Francium found as a free element in nature?

    • No, it is found in trace amounts as a decay product in ores.

30. What is the common name of Francium hydroxide?

    • FrOH

31. What is a major application of Francium in scientific research?

    • Used to study the behavior of alkali metals and atomic structure.

32. How does Francium benefit spectroscopic studies?

    • Its heavy atomic weight and reactivity help in studying atomic interactions.

33. What is the boiling point of Francium in Kelvin?

    • Around 950 K

34. What group does Francium belong to in the periodic table?

    • Alkali metals (Group 1)

35. What is the natural abundance of Francium-223?

    • Extremely rare

36. Can Francium be used in high-temperature applications?

    • No, due to its radioactivity and reactivity.

37. What is the key property that makes Francium valuable in scientific research?

    • Its position as the heaviest alkali metal and its intense radioactivity.

38. How is Francium used in radiation research?

    • As a source of alpha particles in experiments.

39. What precautions should be taken when handling Francium?

    • Use specialized protective equipment and facilities to contain radioactivity.

40. What makes Francium unique among the elements?

    • Its extreme rarity, intense radioactivity, and position as the heaviest alkali metal.