Noble Gases
By: Ellie Allen
What are Noble Gases?
The noble gases are found in group eighteen on the periodic table. The elements were considered to be inert gases until the 1960s because they cannot form compounds because there outer energy level is full. This makes them stable.
Uses for Noble Gases and Where They Are Found
Helium
Helium was found in 1868 by Pierre Jansen. Helium can be found in the sun as well as in natural gas deposits. It is used in MRI scanners, NMR spectrometers, it is used to keeps liquid oxygen cool in satellites, decorative balloons, weather balloons, airships, fiber optics, semiconductors, and for arc welding. It is also used to detect leaks, in air bags, in an artificial atmosphere for deep sea divers, and now in microscopes. Helium-neon gas lasers are used to scan bar codes.
Neon
Neon was discovered by Sir William Ramsay and Morris Travers in 1898. Neon is the fourth most abundant element in the universe. Neon forms no compounds, but it is believed possible that it could form a compound with fluorine. Neon is found in the atmosphere. Neon is used in advertising lights, high voltage indicators, television tubes, and as a cryogenic refrigerant.
Argon
Argon was discovered in 1894 by Lord Rayleigh and Sir William Ramsay. Argon makes up 1% of Earth's atmosphere. The Martian atmosphere is made up 1.6% of argon. Argon is used in the production of titanium. It is used in the fluorescent tubes in low energy light bulbs, in double-glazed windows, and in the tires of luxury cars.
Krypton
Krypton was found in 1898 by Sir William Ramsay and Morris Travers. Krypton is found in Earth's atmosphere. Unlike most of the noble gases it is reactive enough to form some compounds. Krypton is used in energy saving lights, flash lamps used in high-speed photography. Krypton fluoride is used in some lasers.
Xenon
Xenon was found by Sir William Ramsay and Morris Travers in 1898. Xenon is present in Earth's atmosphere. Xenon is used in specialized light sources, high-speed electronic flash bulbs, sunbed lamps, bactericidal lamps used in food preparation and processing, and Xenon lamps are used in ruby lasers. Xenon ion propulsion systems are used by satellites to keep them in orbit. Xenon difluoride is used to etch silicon microprocessors. It is also used in a drug that is used to treat cancer.
Radon
Radon was found by Fredrich Dorn in 1900. Radon is radioactive. It is used in hospitals for cancer treatment. Safer methods are user now. Radon occurs in radioactive gas and from the natural breakdown of uranium. It can be found in igneous rock, soil, and even well water.