Basic facts
What is the element name and symbol for Ne on the periodic table?
Neon (Ne)
Is neon a solid, liquid, or gas at room temperature?
Gas
Who discovered neon?
Sir William Ramsay and Morris Travers
Is neon radioactive?
No
How was neon used in the past?
Early advertising and “neon” lighting signs starting in 1910
What is neon’s atomic number?
10
What color does neon glow when electricity passes through it?
Bright orange-red
In what year was neon discovered?
1898
Is neon found naturally or man-made?
Naturally found in Earth’s atmosphere
How is neon used today?
Signs, high-voltage indicators, lasers, and cryogenic refrigeration
What is the atomic mass of neon (average)?
20.18
Is neon colorless or colorful when not glowing?
Colorless
Where was neon discovered?
London, England
About what percentage of Earth’s atmosphere is neon?
Around 0.0018%
What color are most true neon signs?
Red-orange
How many protons, electrons, and neutrons does a typical neon atom have?
10 protons, 10 electrons, about 10 neutrons
What is one physical characteristic that makes neon useful in lights?
It emits visible light when electrified
Where does neon get its name?
From the Greek word neos, meaning “new”
How reactive is neon?
Very unreactive (chemically inert)
What makes other “neon” sign colors like blue or green?
Different gases (like argon, helium, or mercury vapor)
What family or group does neon belong to?
Noble gases (Group 18)
At what temperature does neon become a liquid?
About –246°C (–411°F)
How did Ramsay and Travers discover neon?
By liquefying air and separating the gases; neon was one of the components
What does neon react with under normal conditions?
Nothing — it’s stable because of its full electron shell
Is neon found in compounds?
Rarely — it almost never forms compounds