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Isotope Specifics
Francium is created through the alpha decay of actinium
Only two isotopes of francium occur naturally, Francium
223 and Francium 221
All other isotopes of Francium are made synthetically
(in particle accelerators)
All isotopes of Francium decay into either astatine through
alpha decay, radium through beta decay, or radon through
positron emission
Above: A view of the exterior of the CERN particle accelerator in which atoms can be created. [5]
Decay Paths
Francium is radioactive, so it goes through the process of radioactive decay. Below are some of the decay paths that various isotopes of Francium take.
Francium 223
Francium 223 has two decay paths. It can emit either an alpha particle or a beta particle to form astatine 219 and radium 223 respectively.
Francium 216
Francium 216 decays into astatine 212 through the emission of an alpha particle or into radon 216 through positron emission.
Francium 221
Francium 221 has two decay paths. It can emit either an alpha particle or a beta particle. This process will form astatine 217 and radium 221.
Francium 212
The decay of Francium 212 produces either astatine 208 through alpha decay or radon 212 through positron emission.
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