The science behind the almost invisible element Francium

Francium is a highly elusive and extremely radioactive element, classified as an alkali metal in Group 1 of the periodic table with the atomic number 87. Its most stable isotope, francium-223, has a remarkably short half-life of only 22 minutes, which means that any sample of francium will decay rapidly, making it difficult to study and observe in significant quantities.

However, completing the album of elements of the universe has proven to be a much more laborious task than previously supposed. Some of the challenges, for example, are linked to the amount of material available and the lifespan of these elements. Come and see Francio’s race and if it has any practical use in everyday life.

A francium here and there, but none anywhere

The proposal for an element number 87 was suggested by Mendeleev himself in the mid-1870s. In a scientific world heated by the opportunities for discovery, the search for this element, until then, hypothetical was started. Marguerite Perey’s groundbreaking work involved isolating actinium and discovering that a portion of its radioactivity was due to the emission of alpha particles from a previously unknown element. Initially named actinium K, it was later renamed francium during her PhD examination after she proposed several names, ultimately settling on one that honored her homeland.

However, the research did not unfold with the desired speed, or at least expected. The first “signs” that the discovery of Francium would be possible date back to 1914, however, due to the scenario of World War I, the experiments were not continued.

The resumption of records of search for the element goes back in 1925, with the Russian chemist D. K. Dobroserdov. Confident in his observations, which denoted the presence of traces of radiation emitted by potassium samples, he even proposed the name “russium”, in honor of his homeland. However, it was a red herring.

Rarity and Occurrence

One of the most striking features of francium is its scarcity. It is estimated that at any given time, there are less than 30 grams of francium present in the Earth’s crust. This rarity is due to its high radioactivity and the fact that it is produced naturally through the decay of actinium. Because of its fleeting existence, francium cannot be isolated in visible or weighable amounts, making it the second rarest naturally occurring element after astatine.

Properties and Behavior

As an alkali metal, francium shares similar properties with other elements in its group, such as lithium and sodium. It is the second-most electropositive element, meaning it readily loses its outermost electron to form positive ions. However, due to its extreme radioactivity, francium is not typically encountered in chemical reactions or practical applications.

The combination of its short half-life, extreme rarity, and high radioactivity makes francium one of the most fascinating yet almost invisible elements in the periodic table. Its study is limited primarily to theoretical research and specialized laboratory conditions, as any sample would decay almost instantaneously.