Xenon
ZEE-non
Xenon (Xe) exists as a colourless, odourless gas and is chemically inert. It has the atomic number 54 in the periodic table and belongs in Group 18, the Noble Gases. It is a non metal with the symbol Xe.
Xenon was discovered in 1898 by William Ramsay and Morris Travers. After separating liquid air into a sample they conducted spectroscopic analysis of the remaining sample. They discovered blue lines which they attributed to the new element Xenon. Xenon draws its name from the Greek word ‘Xenos’ meaning stranger. Ramsay received the Nobel Prize in 1904 for his work on the discovery of the noble gases. Xenon whilst a noble gas is relatively unreactive but compounds with oxygen and fluorine have been made. Xenon is widely used in photographic lighting and arc lamps. It is also used as an anaesthetic in medical procedures. It is located in Group 18 as a non metal gas which is odourless and colourless. It has a melting point of -118°c and a boiling point of -108°c.
FAQ's
Sir William Ramsay; M. W. Travers
1898
Uses
Used for filling flash lamps and other powerful lamps. Electrical excitation of xenon produces a burst of brilliant whtie light. Also used in bubble chambers and modern nuclear power reactors.
Sources
Obtain from the small quantities in liquid air.
About the author
Nathan M
Nathan has a degree in BSc Biomedical Chemistry at Warwick University and a degree in PGCE Science at Wolverhampton University, UK. Nathan's subject matter ranges from general chemistry and organic chemistry. Nathan also created the curriculum on Breaking Atom in the course page.
Citation
Xe
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