Ne
20.180Neon
Neon
Neon is a noble gas with a full second electron shell. It is chemically inert and best known for the reddish-orange glow of neon signs, but it is also used in high-voltage indicators, lasers and cryogenic refrigeration.
10
20.18 g/mol
[He] 2s² 2p⁶
2 | 8
—
9.00e-4 g/cm³
-248.6 °C
-246.1 °C
William Ramsay
Neon was discovered in 1898 by William Ramsay and Morris Travers while studying the fractionated components of liquid air. Its name comes from the Greek word neos, meaning new.
Neon-20
Natural abundance: About 90.48%. The most abundant stable isotope of neon.Neon-21
Natural abundance: About 0.27%. Stable isotope used in isotope studies.Neon-22
Natural abundance: About 9.25%. Stable isotope of neon.—
No Stable Neutral CompoundNeon is so inert that it has no confirmed stable neutral chemical compounds under ordinary conditions.- Neon signs and advertising displays
- High-voltage indicators and switching equipment
- Helium-neon lasers and other lighting applications
- Lightning arresters
- Liquid neon as a cryogenic refrigerant
Neon has no known biological role. It is chemically inert and is not used by living organisms.
- Neon glows reddish-orange in vacuum discharge tubes.
- Neon is one of the noble gases and has very low chemical reactivity.
- Neon makes up only about 18 parts per million of Earth’s atmosphere.
- Neon was historically important in early evidence for isotopes.
- Neon has atomic number 10 and belongs to group 18.
- Its electron configuration is [He] 2s² 2p⁶.
- Neon has a full second electron shell, which explains its noble gas behavior.
What is the atomic number of neon?
The atomic number of neon is 10.
What is the electron configuration of neon?
Neon has the electron configuration [He] 2s² 2p⁶.
Why is neon a noble gas?
Neon has a full outer electron shell, so it is very stable and chemically inert.
What color does neon glow?
Neon produces a reddish-orange glow in gas discharge tubes; other sign colors usually come from other gases or coatings.
What is neon used for?
Neon is used in signs, high-voltage indicators, lasers, lightning arresters and cryogenic refrigeration.