Neon Element – Symbol, Electronic Configuration, Properties, Uses

Neon is a chemical element with the symbol Ne and atomic number 10. It is a noble gas, colorless, and odorless under standard conditions. It was Discovered in 1898 by William Ramsay and Morris Travers that Neon is inert and does not form stable compounds. In this article, we will look into what Neon is, its properties, applications, and so on.

Neon Element Data
Name	Neon
Symbol	Ne
Atomic Number	10
Group	18 (noble gas)
Period	2
Electronic configuration	1s22s22p6

What is Neon Element?

Neon is a chemical element with the symbol Ne and atomic number 10. It is a rare gaseous element found in the atmosphere, making up about 1 part in 65,000 of air. Neon is obtained by liquefaction of air and separated from it. This noble gas is colorless, odorless, and inert under standard conditions, exhibiting an orange-red glow when placed in an electric field. Neon has a stable atomic structure, preventing it from forming compounds with other elements, which makes it one of the inert elements. It is denser than air and is used in various applications.

Neon Symbol

The symbol of Neon element is given below:

Properties of Neon

Neon is a chemical element with the symbol Ne and atomic number 10. It exhibits various properties that are discussed below in two categories physical properties and chemical properties.

Physical Properties of Neon

The physical properties of Neon are:

Feature	Property
Appearance	Colorless gas exhibiting an orange-red glow when placed in an electric field
Melting Point	24.56 K, -248.59 °C
Boiling Point	27.104 K, -246.046 °C
Density	0.9002 g/L (liquid), 1.207 g/cm3 (at boiling point)
Atomic Mass	20.18 g/mol

Chemical Properties of Neon

Neon shows various chemical properties, which are:

Inertness:

• Neon is primarily an inert element, exhibiting very low chemical reactivity.
• It does not readily form compounds with other elements under normal conditions.

Exotic Compounds:

• Although Neon is primarily inert, it can form exotic compounds with fluorine in laboratory settings.
• The existence of natural neon compounds is uncertain.

Ions and Hydrate:

• Neon can form ions like Ne⁺, (NeAr)⁺, (NeH)⁺, and (HeNe⁺) as observed through research.
• Neon also forms an unstable hydrate.

Chemical Reactivity of Neon

Neon is known for its extremely low chemical reactivity, primarily due to its stable electron configuration. Due to the following reasons, it doesn’t participate in chemical reactions:

Dissolution

Neon dissolves slightly in water to a limited extent of about 10.5 cm3/kg at 20°C (293 K)

Electrons gain enthalpy and Ionization Energy

The electron gain enthalpy value for Neon is positive, indicating that it requires energy for Neon to gain an electron. This positive value is consistent with the general trend for Group 18 elements, where electron gain enthalpy values are positive. This characteristic contributes to Neon’s chemical inertness, as it is less likely to gain electrons due to the energy required for this process.

Neon has a high first ionization energy, which is required to remove the outermost electron from a neutral atom of Neon. This high ionization energy is attributed to Neon’s stable electron configuration and the strong attraction between its electrons and the nucleus. The stable electron configuration of Neon, with a complete outer shell electronic configuration, makes it difficult to remove an electron, thus contributing to its high ionization energy.

In terms of Chemical reactivity, Neon’s positive electron gain enthalpy and high ionization energy contribute to its minimal chemical reactivity, making it one of the least reactive elements in the periodic table.

Applications of Neon

Neon has various applications in different fields, which are:

• Advertising Signs: Neon is extensively used in neon signs for advertising, creating vibrant and eye-catching displays.
• Neon’s distinctive bright reddish-orange glow makes it a popular choice for signage.
• High Voltage Indicators: Neon is utilized to make high-voltage indicators whose unique properties benefit this application.
• Helium-Neon Lasers: Neon is combined with helium to produce helium-neon lasers, which find applications in various fields such as optics labs.
• Cryogenic Refrigerant: Liquid Neon is an essential cryogenic refrigerant, offering efficient cooling capabilities in specific applications.

Facts about Neon

Neon, a noble gas, has several interesting facts associated with it:

• Neon was first discovered in its elemental form in 1898 and quickly gained popularity for its use in neon signs and other applications.
• Neon is a rare gas, constituting only about 0.0018% of Earth’s atmosphere.
• The first neon light was displayed in 1910 by Georges Claude at the Paris Motor Show, marking the beginning of Neon’s widespread use.
• Neon gets its name from the Greek word ‘neos,’ meaning new, and has unique properties that make it valuable in various industries.
• Neon is primarily obtained through the fractional distillation of air.
• Neon has a long lifespan, with neon tubes lasting approximately 30,000 hours.

Neon Frequently Asked Questions

How is Neon found in nature?

Neon is found in very small amounts in the Earth’s atmosphere, about 1 part in 65,000. It is obtained through fractional distillation of liquid air.

What does Neon react to?

Neon is inert, meaning it does not react with other elements under normal conditions.

What is Neon used for in real life?

Neon is used in lighting signs, advertising displays, and indicator lamps due to its bright and stable light emission.

What are the names of three stable isotopes of Neon?

The three stable isotopes of Neon are Neon-20, Neon-21, and Neon-22.

Who discovered Neon?

Neon was discovered by Sir William Ramsay and Morris Travers in 1898.

What is the position of Neon in the periodic table?

Neon is a noble gas placed in Group 18, Period 2 of the periodic table.