What is neon? Chemical and physical properties of neon, application

Among all the elements of the chemical table of Mendeleyev, a group such as inert gases has interesting properties. These include argon, neon, helium and some other substances. What is neon, and where in the modern world has this gas found wide application?

The history of neon discovery

Mendeleyev's table was not immediately filled with all the chemical elements, so in some groups and periods there were gaps. Thus, chemists predicted the discovery of new substances, which happened with neon. The first scientist who thought about the existence of neon was the chemist Ramsay Rayleigh. At that time, the two nearest inert gases were discovered: argon and helium, but the intermediate cell in the table was empty. The scientist suggested that the new element would have an atomic mass of 20 and a density of hydrogen of 10, but that such a neon in nature was not known.

How did Ramsay manage to isolate neon and prove its existence? In his experiment, ordinary atmospheric air was used, which was first liquefied, and then slowly evaporated. The thus obtained gaseous fractions were studied in a discharge tube, which made it possible to see the lines of the spectrum of substances. On these lines, and found a new element.

In the universe, the sixth most widely used element is neon. The meaning of the word from Greek is translated as "new". Initially, Ramsay Willi's son proposed to name the new element novum, which also meant "new," but his father decided to change this word a little for neon, which, in his opinion, sounded better.

Properties of neon

This inert gas is found in the Mendeleev table between argon and helium, which gives it intermediate properties of these substances. Neon has two energy levels, on which 2 and 8 electrons are located. This feature directly affects the reactivity of the gas. It does not form connections with other elements.

What is neon in terms of chemistry? It is a light gas that liquefies at a temperature of -245.98 ° C, and the boiling point is at the level of 2.6 ° C. The solubility of gas in water is very small, but the adsorption of neon on activated carbon makes it possible to separate pure gas from its impurities.

What is neon in terms of physics? It is a gas that under the influence of current is divided into bright red and orange spectra. The light of the neon, which it emits at the same time, is very steady and bright. The physics of this phenomenon consists in the imposition of electrons on neon atoms, which forces the latter to release photons of light.

Where is neon

In the universe, neon stands at 6th place in prevalence after helium, hydrogen and a number of other elements. This inert gas occupies a relatively large volume of stars and red planets. In the study of Pluto, it was suggested that its atmosphere consists entirely of neon, and in the lower layers this gas is liquefied because of the critically low temperatures on this planet.

As for the Earth, neon is mostly contained in the atmosphere (0.00182%) and very little in the earth's crust. It is believed that the inability of inert gases to bind to other elements and form minerals was the main reason why these substances on Earth remained in small quantities.

The use of neon

Now the demand for neon has grown very much in production, which means its constant shortage. This is due to the fact that the separation of pure inert gas takes a long time, and its content in the air is very low.

Neon is used in industry as a refrigerant in cryogenic technology. At temperatures of liquid neon, they store rocket fuel, freeze animals and plant tissues, chemical substances. Neon crystals create optimal conditions for the occurrence of very complex reactions that do not tolerate the action of heat (synthesis of H2O2, oxygen fluorides, etc.).

Some lamps and lamps also use neon. The value of this gas as a source of light is very large, because Its glow is visible over long distances. Neon lamps are used for installation on a lighthouse, aerodrome stripes, high-rise towers. Some text ads are highlighted with neon-based lamps.

In such lamps, neon is not in pure form. It always mixes in the right proportions with argon, which gives the light an orange color. However, this does not in any way impair the properties of good visibility, because Such lamps are noticeable under any unfavorable weather conditions and at great distances.