What is Neon?
Neon is the second noble gas in column 18 of the periodic table. Neon is the fifth most abundant element in the universe. The neon atom has 10 electrons and 10 protons with an outer shell of 8 electrons.
Characteristics and Properties
Under standard conditions, the element neon is a colorless, odorless gas. It is a completely inert gas, which means it will not combine with other elements or substances to form compounds.
Neon has the narrowest liquid band of all the elements. It is only liquid from 24.55 K to 27.05 K. It is the second lightest noble gas after helium.
When neon is in a vacuum discharge tube, it glows with an orange-red light.
Highlights of Neon:
| Symbol | Ne |
| Atomic Number | 10 |
| Atomic Weight | 20.1797 |
| Classification | Noble gas |
| Phase at Room Temperature | Gas |
| Density | 0.9002 g/L @ 0°C |
| Melting Point | 248.59°C, -415.46°F |
| Boiling Point | 246.08°C, -410.94°F |
| Discovered by | Sir William Ramsay and M. W. Travers in 1898 |
Where is Neon found on Earth?
Neon is a very rare element on Earth. It is found in very small traces both in the earth’s atmosphere and in the earth’s crust. It can be produced commercially from liquid air by a process called fractional distillation.
Neon is the much more common element in stars and the fifth most abundant element in the universe. It is created during the alpha process of stars when helium and oxygen are fused together.
How is Neon used today?
Neon is used in the lighting of signs often referred to as “neon” signs. However, neon is only used to produce orange-red light. Other gases are used to produce other colors although they are still known as neon signs.
Other uses for neon include laser beams, television tubes, and vacuum tubes. The liquid form of neon is used for refrigeration and is considered a more efficient refrigerant than liquid helium.
How was Neon discovered?
Neon was discovered by British chemists Sir William Ramsay and Morris W. Travers in 1898. They heated liquefied air and captured the gas released when boiled. They discovered three new elements including krypton, neon and xenon. Neon was the second element they discovered.
Where did Neon get its name?
The name neon comes from the Greek word “neos” which means “new”.
Isotopes
There are three known stable isotopes of neon, including neon-20, neon-21, and neon-22. The most common is neon-20, which accounts for about 90% of natural neon.
Interesting Facts about Neon
Some scientists believe that neon can form compounds with fluorine, the most reactive element on the periodic table.
It is used to fix the measuring points of the international temperature scale.
Neon gases and liquids are quite expensive because they must be recovered from the air.
Neon gas is monatomic, which means its atoms are not bound together like oxygen and nitrogen. This makes it “lighter than air”.