Neon
The Discovery Of Neon
Neon was discovered in 1898 by William Ramsay and Morris Travers. The element was named after the Greek word "neos", meaning new. Ramsay was conducting an experiment which led to the discovery of Krypton and Xenon when (in the process of chilling air to a liquid, warming it back up, and collected the gasses produced) he found Neon.
What's Inside
Neon consists of 10 protons, 10 neutrons, and 10 electrons. The colorless, odder-less element has 2 electron levels, the first with 2 electrons and the second with 8.
Uses Of Neon
Neon is commonly used in neon signs. The red colors in the signs is pure neon, while other colors are made by mixing neon with other substances. Neon is also used to make lasers, diving equipment, and high-voltage indicators (a tool used to measure volts, amps , and ohms).
More Information
Neon has 8 valence electrons which makes it a very stable element, but (as is usual with elements with many valence electrons) Neon doesn't react with any other substances. With a mass of 20.180 amu and an atomic number of 10, Neon has a melting point of −415.46°F and a boiling point of −410.883°F.
Neon Model Key
Orange ping-pong balls - protons
White ping-pong balls - neutrons
Blue beads - electrons
Metal loops/rings - electron levels