Neon is a colorless, odorless, inert monoatomic gas at normal temperatures and pressures. It is the second lightest noble gas and glows reddish-orange in a vacuum discharge tube when subjected to high voltage electricity, which is how it’s commonly used for signs.
A team of chemists, led by Sir William Ramsay and Morris Travers, discovered neon in 1898 while working with argon. They evaporated liquid argon, which separated into krypton and neon gas, and ran the first sample through an atomic spectrometer—which allowed them to see each atom’s energy spectrum—and found it glowed a brilliant crimson. They named the new element neon, based on its Greek word meaning “new.”
As a noble gas, neon has an unpaired electron and a full octet of protons and neutrons. This means it’s very stable and doesn’t react with other elements. It is considered an electronegative element, which means it’s more attracted to negative electrons than positive ones. This allows it to form molecular ions and excimers, which are short-lived dimeric molecules.
While neon is relatively common in the universe and solar system (it’s fifth in cosmic abundance, after hydrogen, oxygen, helium, and carbon), it’s very rare on Earth. It only composes 0.0018 percent of our atmosphere, according to the Jefferson Laboratory. Most of the neon in our planet’s atmosphere was created inside stars during nuclear fusion. It is also produced in laboratories by distilling air from liquid helium. Liquid neon is sometimes used as a cryogenic refrigerant, since it has the narrowest temperature range in which it can be liquid.
National Geographic STEM Science Kit - 15+ Experiments, Crystal Growing, Volcano Kit, Dig Kits & Gemstones for Kids - Amazon Exclusive
$29.99 (as of October 29, 2025 05:14 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Creativity for Kids Grow 'N Glow Terrarium Kit - Educational Science Kits, Kids Gifts for Boys and Girls, Craft and STEM Projects (Ages 6+)
$12.97 (as of October 29, 2025 05:14 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Wow in The World Kids’ Binoculars & Nature Explorer KIT | Look Far, Nature Scavenger Hunt, Specimen Box, Companion Audio Content, Bonus Reusable Science Tool, STEM Toy for Kids 4+ by Thames & Kosmos
$6.95 (as of October 29, 2025 05:14 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Mega Gemstone Dig Kit – Dig Up 15 Real Gemstones and Crystals, Science Kit for Kids, Gem Digging Kit, Gift for Girls and Boys, Mining Kit, Rock Collection
$24.99 (as of October 29, 2025 05:14 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
STEM Kits for Kids Crafts 6-8 8-12, Boys Gifts Toys for 6 7 8 Year Old Boy Birthday Gift Ideas, STEM Toys Crafts 6+ 7+ yr, Robotics Science Kits Activities Robot Building Age 8-10 9 10 11 12 13 14
$18.99 (as of October 29, 2025 05:14 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
National Geographic Kids Junior Chemistry Set - Complete Early Learning Lab Kit with 50 Science Experiments and 20+ Lab Tools for Kids Aged 4-6
$25.88 (as of October 29, 2025 05:14 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
National Geographic Gross Science Kit - 45 Gross Science Experiments- Dissect a Brain, Make Slime, Creepy STEM Project for Boys and Girls, Birthday Gifts for Kids 8-12 (Amazon Exclusive)
$29.99 (as of October 29, 2025 05:14 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Smartivity DIY 2in1 Hydraulic Airplanes & Darts Launcher STEM Toy for Kids Ages 6 to 14 Years I Christmas, Birthday Gifts for Smart Kids | DIY Science Kit for Boys & Girls 6, 8,10,12,14 Years Old
$28.99 (as of October 29, 2025 05:14 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Smartivity DIY Robotic Mechanical Hand STEM Toy for Kids 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 Years Old | Parents Choice Award Winner I Christmas, Birthday Gift | Engineering Kit for 8-14 Years Old Boys & Girls
$33.99 (as of October 29, 2025 05:14 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)