Introducing Neon: The “New” Element
What is Neon?
Neon is a chemical element with the symbol Ne and atomic number 10. It is a noble gas, which means it belongs to a group of elements that are very unreactive. In its natural state, Neon is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas. It is one of the rarest elements in the Earth’s atmosphere, making up only about 0.0018% of the air inhaled. Despite its scarcity, it is widely recognised for the brilliant reddish-orange glow it produces when an electric current passes through it, a phenomenon commonly seen in advertising signs across Indian cities like Bengaluru or Kolkata.
The Discovery of Neon
Neon was discovered in 1898 by two British chemists, Sir William Ramsay and Morris W. Travers. They discovered it shortly after isolating another noble gas, Krypton. Ramsay and Travers obtained Neon by cooling a sample of air until it became a liquid, then slowly warming the liquid air and collecting the gases that boiled off at different temperatures. When they examined the spectrum of the newly isolated gas, they observed a distinctive bright red glow, confirming it was a new element.
The Name’s Origin
Sir William Ramsay’s 13-year-old son suggested the name “neon” for the newly discovered element. The name comes from the Greek word “neos,” which means “new.” This perfectly captured the excitement of discovering a previously unknown element.
Quick Facts About Neon
- When an electric current passes through gaseous neon, it emits a bright reddish-orange light, making it ideal for illuminated signs.
- Neon is the second lightest noble gas, only heavier than helium.
- Being a noble gas, Neon does not readily form chemical compounds with other elements under normal conditions.
- Though found in trace amounts in Earth’s atmosphere, Neon is the fifth most abundant chemical element in the universe by mass.
- Besides advertising signs, Neon is used in high-voltage indicators, lightning arresters, and some types of lasers.