Neon is a relatively inert monatomic gas that is colorless and tasteless. It is considered a relatively light noble gas and is second to helium in lightness.
Neon is a relatively rare gas. In fact, only one part in 65,000 of air is neon. It is only present in small quantities trapped in the Earth’s crust. However, it is more abundant in the cosmos.
The element’s name comes from the Greek word neos meaning “new.” William Ramsay, a Scottish chemist, made the discovery in 1898. He was working on liquefied air and observed that he could capture gases as they boiled off. These gases were identified as nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and krypton.
The first glass tubes with neon were made in 1910. They were used to make advertising signs. There is evidence that neon may form compounds with fluorine.
When a few thousand volts are applied, neon emits an orange/red light. This is because some of the atoms in the neon gas gain higher energy states due to the application of electric current.
In addition to its bright glow, neon is used to light up many illuminated signs around the world. It is also used as a refrigerant.
Generally, neon is an inert, odorless gas that is not toxic under normal pressure. However, high concentrations can be dangerous. Breathing in neon can cause nausea and loss of consciousness. If a large volume of the gas is ingested, it can be asphyxiating.