Content Curator
Francium is a chemical element with the atomic number 87 and is represented by the symbol Fr. Marguerite Perey was the one who discovered Francium in 1939. It was termed Eka-cesium before its discovery. Rather than synthesis; francium was the last element that was discovered first in nature. Francium is an alkaline metal and a radioactive element. Of the alkali metal group, francium is a radioactive member. It takes place naturally in thorium ores and uranium as a decay product. Francium is an extremely unstable, and rare element that is found in Period 7, Group 1 of the periodic table.
Francium consists of seven metastable nuclear. In francium, there is no commercial application due to its rarity and instability. For research purposes, francium has been used in the field of atomic structure and chemistry. Francium's ability to be trapped, cooled, and synthesized, along with its simple atomic structure has made it the specialization subject in spectroscopy experiments.
Read Also: Periodic Classification of Elements
| Table of Content |
Highlights of Francium:
Some of the highlights of francium are:
| Francium Details | Francium Particulars |
|---|---|
| Atomic Number | 87 |
| Atomic Mass | (233)g.mol-1 |
| Symbol | Fr |
| Discovered by | Marguerite Perey |
Highlights of Francium
Check Important Notes for Metals and Non-Metals
Characteristics of Francium:
The characteristics of francium are discussed in the below points:
- Francium is the very rare and most unstable natural occurring element.
- It is an alkali metal whose chemical properties resemble mostly those of cesium.
- Francium is acquired from the radioactive decay of Actinium.
- With several cesium salts like cesium perchlorate, francium coprecipitates which results in little amounts of francium perchlorate.
Characteristics of Francium
Properties of Francium:
Some of the properties of Francium are mentioned in the below points:
- Francium is a chemical element with the atomic number 87 and is represented by the chemical symbol Fr. Francium is produced both by artificial and natural methods.
- Francium is said to be the least found metal on earth and hardly found in nature. Next to Astatine, francium is regarded as the second rarest metal that is discovered on the earth's crust.
- It is predicted that around 340 to 550 grams of metal francium are found in the earth's crust.
- On the decay of alpha particles, francium occurs. It is found in the minerals of uranium.
- Francium has around 34 isotopes that occur in nature. It has only a 1-valence electron.
Uses of Francium:
The uses of francium are mentioned below. Some of the uses are:
- Francium is used for diagnostics to cure diseases like cancer.
- It has been used in the field of chemistry, atomic structure, and also in research.
- For many spectroscopic experiments, francium is used.
- It is a highly radioactive metal and therefore it manifest a short half-life. Francium does not have much effect on the environment.
Chemical Properties of Francium:
Below tabulated the chemical properties of francium:
| Group | 1 | Boiling point | 650°C, 1202° F, 923K |
| Block | s | Melting point | 21°C, 70°F, 294 K |
| Period | 7 | Relative atomic mass | [223] |
| Atomic Number | 87 | Density (g cm−3) | Unknown |
| State at 20 ° C | Solid | CAS number | 7440-73-5 |
| Chemspider ID | 4886484 | Key isotopes | 223Fr |
| Electronic configuration | [Rn] 7S1 | - | - |
Chemical Properties of Francium
Points to Remember:
- Francium is a chemical element with the atomic number 87 and is represented by the symbol Fr.
- Marguerite Perey was the one who discovered Francium in 1939.
- It was termed Eka-cesium before its discovery.
- Francium is an alkaline metal and a radioactive element.
- Francium is the very rare and most unstable natural occurring element.
- Francium is the second rarest element that occurs naturally and the second-most electropositive element only behind cesium.
- The electronic structure of the francium atom is [Rn] 7s1 and therefore its element is divided as an alkali metal.
Read Also: Variable Valency
Sample Questions:
Ques. What is the other name for francium? (1 Marks)
Ans: The other name for francium is actinium K and Eka-cesium.
Ques. What is the trivial name of Francium? (2 Marks)
Ans: The trivial name of Francium is alkali metals. Lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, and francium also come under alkali metals. They are very reactive, electropositive, monovalent metals that also form strongly alkaline hydroxides.
Ques. What is the solid structure of francium? (2 Marks)
Ans: Francium solid structure is also known as Crystal structure. Body-Centered Cubic is the solid structure of francium.
Ques. Does francium is harmful to human beings? (2 Marks)
Ans: Yes, francium is very much harmful to human beings because it is radioactive. The particles we get from radioactive elements can damage our bodies and can cause cancer or other diseases.
Ques. Which is the rarest element on earth and Why? (3 Marks)
Ans: Astatine is the rarest element on earth. Astatine has the symbol At and atomic number 85. It only occurs only as a decay product of various other heavier elements. Astatine's isotopes are short-lived. Even the most stable astatine-210 has a life span of 8.1 hours
Ques. What are the main characteristics of francium? (3 Marks)
Ans: The main characteristics of francium are its rarity and instability. Apart from this, Francium is also highly radioactive.
- Rarity - Only 30 grams of Francium is available on earth as of now.
- Instability - Francium is highly unstable and thus does not have any Commercial Use.
Comments