Francium
Atomic Number: 87
Francium is the 87th element in the periodic table and it is the last alkali metal. Though, it is estimated that there is a 119th element under francium but it still needs to be discovered. This metal is extremely radioactive and its most stable isotope is francium-223 which only has a half-life of 22 minutes. Like many of the other alkali metals it reacts heavily with water to create a huge fatal explosion. Francium doesn't have a lot of use, but it is said that it can cure cancer. Francium is found in the ground in ores and minerals but because it has such a short half-life it can't be collected for use. Therefore, it is the most expensive element. You could buy 100 grams of this element for billions of dollars. You can get francium through alpha decay (where the nucleus releases alpha particles) of actinium-227. Francium was finally discovered in 1939 by Marguerite Perey in Paris. It was named after France. |
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