Neon (Ne)
Neon (Ne) is element 10, a noble gas. Atomic mass 20.1797, configuration [He] 2s² 2p⁶. Properties, isotopes, oxidation states, uses and history, with an interactive 3D atom model.
Key facts
| Atomic number | 10 |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Ne |
| Standard atomic weight | 20.1797(6) |
| Category | Noble Gas |
| Group | 18 |
| Period | 2 |
| State at room temperature | Gas |
| Electron configuration | [He] 2s² 2p⁶ |
| Valence electrons | 8 |
| Common ions | No common ions |
| First ionization energy | 2080 kJ/mol |
| Atomic radius | 38 pm |
| Density | 0.825 g/L |
| Melting point | -248.58°C |
| Boiling point | -246.08°C |
| Specific heat | 1.03 J/(g·°C) |
Natural isotopes
- Ne-20: Stable (90.5%)
- Ne-21: Stable (0.27%)
- Ne-22: Stable (9.25%)
Common uses
- Neon signs
- High-voltage indicators
- Cryogenics
Where it matters
- Lighting technology
- Lasers
Hazards
- Asphyxiant
History
| Discovered | 1898 |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | William Ramsay & Morris Travers |
| Name | Ramsay (from Greek neos) |