Neon is a gas that glows reddish-orange when electricity runs through it. It’s most famously used to make “neon signs” that are displayed in front of shops, restaurants, etc. Neon is part of the noble gases group 18, which also includes helium, argon, krypton, and xenon (a synthetic noble gas named oganesson was first made in 2016). Noble gases are known for being inert, meaning they don’t react with other elements or molecules.
Neon can be found as a solid, liquid, or vapor. It is the second lightest of all noble gases and, in its vapor state, it has about two-thirds of the density of air. When neon is cooled to very low temperatures, it becomes a liquid. This makes it easier to handle, transport, and store.
When neon is lit, its atoms vibrate and collide with each other, releasing energy. Some of this energy causes electrons to escape from the atoms, making them “excited”. If the electrons gain enough energy, they can climb up to a higher “energy level” that’s distinct from their original energy state. This higher energy level is known as the “glow”.
When the voltage across a discharge tube is high enough, the free electrons can acquire enough energy to climb up to this energy level. As they reach this energy level, they ionize the atoms around them and produce light. The negative electrode of the tube attracts these positively charged ions while the positive electrode attracts the electrons that have escaped from the atoms, producing a glowing plasma of both atoms and electrons.
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