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Neon signs home >> Neon sign articles >> Chemical & Physical Properties of neon signs
 | As many of you may know Neon is the chemical element with symbol Ne and atomic symbol 10. Although a very ubiquituous element in the outer universe, it is said to be scarce on our planet earth. This is a colorless, second-lightest inert noble gas. Under standard conditions, neon gives a distinct deep orangish glow particulary when used in discharge tubes and neon lamps. |
Neon belongs to the noble gas family. Other elements belonging to this family are helium, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon. These gases are in Group 18 (VIIIA) of the periodic table which is the chart that spells our how chemical elements are related to each other.
It is found that neon is the least reactive noble gas and thus the least reactive of all elements. Neon is valued because it has over 40 times the refrigerating capacity of liquid helium and thrice that of liquid hydrogen.
| It is interesting to know that three isotopes of neon exist - neon-20, neon-21, and neon-22. Isotopes may be defined as two or more forms of an element. Isotopes differ from each other according to their mass number which represents the number of protons plus neutrons in the nucleus of an atom of the element. Though the number of protons determines the element, the number of neutrons in the atom of any one element can vary and each variation is called an isotope. There are three radioactive isotopes of neon and a radioactive isotope is one that gets fragmented and gives off some form of radiation. But the fact is none of the radioactive isotopes of neon has any commercial application - at least to date. |  |
As regards the physical properties, Neon is a colorless, odorless and also a tasteless gas. It changes from a gas state to a liquid state at -245.92°C and from a liquid state to a solid state at -248.6°C and its density is 0.89994 grams. As regards the chemical properties, neon is chemically inactive. Scientific research has established that it is impossible to make neon react with any other element or compound. There are no known compounds of neon.
Neon has very limited uses and the most common application is neon lighting. Today, neon signs of every color, shape, and size exist. Neon signs are not only filled with neon gas, but with other gases as well. The gas contained in the sign tube determines the color of light that is emitted. Of course, the color given off by neon itself is reddish-orange. By early twentieth century, neon lighting began to be used in many parts of the world. The popularity is due to the fact that neon lights do not cost much and last longer.
 | Neon lighting are also are used in the manufacture of instruments meant for detecting electric currents. Yet another application of neon is its use in the manufacture of lasers. A laser is a device for producing very bright light of a single color. Lasers are widely used in many industries and the field of medicine. Lasers are known to be extremely efficient at cutting metal and plastic. They are used for doing very precise kinds of surgery. |
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