Neon is a noble gas that is a minor component of Earth’s atmosphere. The odorless, tasteless gas has an unusually vibrant red glow that is popular in neon signs and other uses. Like other noble gases, it is chemically inert and does not react with any other elements or compounds. It is found in trace amounts in the air and in some minerals, including clevelandite. Commercially, it is produced by fractional distillation of liquid air.
It is the fourth most abundant element in the universe, but only makes up about 18 parts per million of Earth’s atmosphere, according to the Jefferson Laboratory. The element is most commonly used for its red color in neon signs and other applications. It is also used as a refrigerant.
The chemistry of neon is relatively simple. It has three isotopes, all of which are stable: neon-20, neon-21, and neon-22. It is also non-toxic and poses no ecological harm.
Unlike other noble gases, neon is not inert to chemical reactions unless it is subjected to high-energy conditions. In traditional neon tubes, an electric current passing through the electrodes at either end of the tube will accelerate a free electron up to a maximum kinetic energy. This process is called “ionization.”
When the atoms of neon are ionized, they become positively charged and release light. The exact shade of the light depends on the combination of gases present and the amount of electrical current passing through the tube’s electrodes.
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