Neon is a colorless, odorless, inert, monatomic gas with about two-thirds the density of air. It is used in signs because it glows with a bright red light when electricity runs through it. It is also used in tubes that illuminate objects or buildings, and it is the primary source of illumination for many works of art.
A “classic” neon sign consists of individual glass tubes that are filled with a small amount of gas (often a combination of gases) and are painted with a covering colour. Alternating current from a transformer passes through each tube, making the electrons in the neon atoms move about the tube. This gives each electron a maximum kinetic energy, which is then transferred to adjacent neon atoms. The free electrons then emit photons of light at specific wavelengths depending on how far away their kinetic energy is from the original energy state of the atoms.
Unlike most other elements, neon is inert in the ground state, meaning it cannot react with any other element. However, it can form weak compounds and bonds under certain conditions, such as forming clathrates or Van der Waals molecules. It can also form excimers, which are short-lived dimeric molecules that contain an atom with a complete octet of electrons.
While it is rare on Earth, neon is a common element in stars and the fifth most abundant in the universe, being produced from helium and oxygen nuclei fusing. It is also present in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn, as well as in Earth’s atmosphere (18 ppm) and sea water (1 ppm). Neon’s high volatility allows it to escape from planetesimals to the Solar System, though its low density prevents it from entering the interiors of the inner terrestrial planets.
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