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1. General Information
- Symbol: Ne
- Atomic Number: 10
- Atomic Mass: 20.180 u
- Group: 18 (Noble Gases)
- Period: 2
- Block: p-block
- Electron Configuration: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶
- Valence Electrons: 8 (Full outer shell)
- Phase at Room Temperature: Gas
2. Isotopes of Neon
| Isotope | Protons | Neutrons | Abundance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ²⁰Ne | 10 | 10 | 90.48% | Most abundant. |
| ²¹Ne | 10 | 11 | 0.27% | Stable, trace amounts. |
| ²²Ne | 10 | 12 | 9.25% | Stable, second most abundant. |
3. Physical Properties
- Color: Colorless (glows reddish-orange in electric discharge)
- Odor: Odorless
- Density: 0.9002 g/L (at STP)
- Melting Point: -248.6°C
- Boiling Point: -246.1°C
- State at STP: Gas
- Non-metallic and Monatomic: Exists as Ne atoms.
4. Chemical Properties
- Inert and Non-reactive – Does not easily form compounds.
- Stable Electron Configuration: Full outer electron shell.
- Non-flammable and non-toxic.
- No Known Stable Neon Compounds under normal conditions.
5. Occurrence and Abundance
- Fifth most abundant element in the universe.
- On Earth:
- Atmosphere: 0.0018% by volume.
- Crust: Trace amounts.
- Stars and Solar Wind: Produced by stellar nucleosynthesis.
- Extracted by fractional distillation of liquefied air.
6. Industrial Production of Neon
- Method:
- Fractional distillation of liquid air (Neon is separated from other noble gases and nitrogen).
- Source Material: Atmosphere.
7. Uses of Neon
| Application | Description |
|---|---|
| Neon Signs | Glows reddish-orange in electric discharge. |
| High-voltage Indicators | Neon is used in indicator lights. |
| Television Tubes | Used in gas discharge tubes for displays. |
| Lasers | Neon gas is part of helium-neon (HeNe) lasers. |
| Cryogenics | Liquid neon is used as a cryogenic refrigerant. |
| Scientific Research | Used in vacuum tubes and high-energy physics. |
8. Neon in Lighting
- Color Emission:
- Glows reddish-orange in low-pressure discharge tubes.
- Different gases (e.g., argon, helium) produce different colors.
- Neon Lights:
- Often mixed with argon or mercury to produce other colors.
- Pure neon glows red, while argon glows blue or purple.
9. Biological Role of Neon
- Non-toxic and Biologically Inert: Neon has no biological role.
- Inhalation: Safe to inhale in small amounts but displaces oxygen in confined spaces.
10. Safety and Hazards
- Non-reactive and Non-flammable.
- Asphyxiation Hazard: Can displace oxygen in confined spaces, leading to suffocation.
- Stored as a Compressed Gas: Handle under high pressure with care.
Fun Facts About Neon:
- Discovered in 1898 by William Ramsay and Morris Travers.
- Neon signs were first introduced in 1910 by Georges Claude.
- Neon is rare on Earth but abundant in the universe and stars.
- The term “neon lights” is often used for all gas discharge tubes, even if they use gases other than neon.