rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryfranciumRadioactive element
noun

francium

FRAN-see-um/ˈfrænsiəm/

A highly radioactive chemical element in the alkali metal group.

Francium is a highly radioactive element in the alkali metal group.

A periodic-table square highlighted with ONLY 87 and Fr, neighbouring cells blank; scientific element illustration with no sample material.
Etymology
francFrenchFrance
+iumLatinmetallic element ending

France supplies the name, while -ium marks it as a chemical element. Marguerite Perey, who first identified the element in Paris, named it after the country.

In context

UC Berkeley Events17:00
If you go beyond cesium to francium, things are really radioactive.
A New Measure: The Revolutionary, Quantum Reform of the Modern Metric System

More examples

  • The periodic table lists francium under the symbol Fr.
  • Only tiny traces of francium occur naturally.
  • Scientists study francium using specialized equipment to handle its radioactivity.