Science, Tech, Math › Science Francium in Water: What Happens If You Drop Francium in Water? The hypothetical reaction would be energetic and possibly explosive Print Ajhalls/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain Science Chemistry Periodic Table Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on July 19, 2019 Francium is element No. 87 on the periodic table. The element can be prepared by bombarding thorium with protons. An extremely small amount occurs naturally in uranium minerals, but it is so rare and radioactive that there has never been enough of it to actually see what would happen if a piece was dropped into water. However, scientists know for sure that the reaction would be energetic, possibly even explosive. The piece of francium would blow apart, while the reaction with water would produce hydrogen gas, francium hydroxide, and a lot of heat. The entire area would be contaminated with radioactive material. Why Francium Reacts so Strongly The reason for the strong exothermic reaction is because francium is an alkali metal. As you move down the first column of the periodic table, the reaction between the alkali metals and water becomes increasingly violent, as follows: A small amount of lithium will float on water and burn.Sodium burns more readily.Potassium breaks apart, burning with a violet flame.Rubidium ignites with a red flame.Cesium releases enough energy that even a small piece blows up in water.Francium is below cesium on the table and would react more readily and violently. This occurs because each of the alkali metals is characterized by having a single valence electron. This electron easily reacts with other atoms, such as those in water. As you move down the periodic table, the atoms become larger and the lone valence electron is easier to remove, making the element more reactive. In addition, francium is so radioactive that it is expected to release heat. Many chemical reactions are accelerated or enhanced by temperature. Francium would input the energy of its radioactive decay, which is expected to magnify the reaction with water. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Francium in Water: What Happens If You Drop Francium in Water?" ThoughtCo, Aug. 25, 2020, thoughtco.com/dropping-francium-in-water-607474. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 25). Francium in Water: What Happens If You Drop Francium in Water? Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/dropping-francium-in-water-607474 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Francium in Water: What Happens If You Drop Francium in Water?" ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/dropping-francium-in-water-607474 (accessed March 19, 2024). copy citation