Neon is a colorless, odorless gas under normal conditions that is nonflammable and has no known toxic effects. It is chemically inert and forms no known compounds, although it has been shown to form clathrates with fluorine under certain rare circumstances. As a refrigerated liquid, it is used as a cryogenic coolant because it has over 40 times the cooling capacity (per volume) of liquid helium and nearly three times that of liquid hydrogen. It is also highly effective at displacing oxygen, and contact with very cold liquefied neon in a closed container can lead to violent boiling and rapid vaporization of the liquid, with subsequent pressure build-up and possible asphyxiation.
The element was discovered in 1898 by Scottish chemist William Ramsay and Morris Travers. It is classified as a noble gas, along with argon, krypton, and xenon. The noble gases are named for their inertness and lack of ability to react with other elements. Neon is the fifth most abundant element in the universe, but is very scarce on Earth. It is found in the atmosphere (18 ppm), in sea water (18 pg/L), and in its natural reservoirs at the volcanic vents of Vesuvius and Naples.
The process for creating a neon sign involves a great deal of artistry, particularly with the design and glass bending. But it also requires a good dose of science. Basically, when an electrical current is passed through the tube, it excites the neon and argon atoms, which in turn emit light. The specific colour produced depends on the particular mixture of gases, as well as the temperature and pressure within the tube.
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