Neon
| Atomic Number: | 10 |
| Symbol: | Ne |
| Atomic Weight: | 20.179 |
| Discovery: | Ramsay & Travers 1898 |
| Electron Configuration: | [He]2s22p6 |
| Word Origin: | Greek neos: new |
| Isotopes: | Natural neon is a mix of three isotopes. Five other unstable isotopes of neon are known. |
| Properties: | The melting point of neon is -248.67°C, boiling point is -246.048°C (1 atm), density of gas is 0.89990 g/l (1 atm, 0°C), density of liquid at b.p. is 1.207 g/cm3, and valence is 0. Neon is very inert, but it does form some compounds, such as with fluorine. The following ions are known: Ne+, (NeAr)+, (NeH)+, (HeNe)+. Neon is known to form an unstable hydrate. Neon plasma glows reddish orange. The discharge of neon is the most intense of the rare gases at ordinary currents and voltages. |
| Uses: | Neon is used to make neon signs. Neon and helium are used to make gas lasers. Neon is used in lightning arrestors, television tubes, high-voltage indicators, and wave meter tubes. Liquid neon is used as a cryogenic refrigerant, as it has over 40 times the refrigerating capacity per unit volume than liquid helium and over three times that of liquid hydrogen. |
| Sources: | Neon is a rare gaseous element. It is present in the atmosphere to the extent of 1 part per 65,000 of air. Neon is obtained by liquefaction of air and separation using fractional distillation. |
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