Francium (Fr)

Francium, Fr

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Physical Properties

Boiling point: 950 K

Melting point: 300 K

Phase: solid @ room temperature

Density: 1.87 g/cm3

Background

(Who Discovered this Element? When?)

Francium is the least stable of the naturally occurring elements: its most stable isotope, francium-223, has a maximum half-life of only 22 minutes. In contrast,astatine, the second-least stable naturally occurring element, has a maximum half-life of 8.5 hours. All isotopes of francium decay into either astatine, radium, or radon. Francium is also less stable than all synthetic elements up to element 105.

Uses for this element

Due to its instability and rarity, there are no commercial applications for francium. It has been used for research purposes in the fields of biology and of atomic structure. Its use as a potential diagnostic aid for various cancers has also been explored but this application has been deemed impractical.

research by CJMcDonald