Xenon:
A presentation on the most
noble of gases
As written by Catharine Whiddon
Periodicals
Xenon, which can be shortened to its symbol Xe, is
one of the noble, or inert, gases. Xenon takes the
atomic number 54 and has an atomic mass of
131.293. It is in group 18 and period 5 of the
periodic table.
The Face of Xenon
Xenon, being a gas, isn’t exactly something that’s
very photogenic. It does, however, react to black
light, or ultraviolet light.
A vial of Xenon under
black, or ultraviolet,
light.
Atomic Xenon
A 2D picture of an
atom of Xenon
Physical Attributes
Xenon is a normally colorless gas. It emits a blue
glow when exposed to an electric discharge.
Xenon can be produced to be colored, or even
have a metallic appearance! Xenon is one of the
heaviest gases. It melts at 161.3 K and boils at
166.1 K.
Chemical Attributes
Xenon, being a Noble or inert gas, does not react
with many other elements. Eventually, chemists
discovered various compounds that can be made
with Xenon, though it still does not react with
many other elements.
Xenon’s Usefulness
Xenon doesn’t have too many uses. It is mainly
used in special lamps because it glows when an
electrical charge is passed through it. It can also
be found in some ultraviolet lights, such as the
ones used to sterilize equipment in labs and
hospitals.
Historical Facts
Xenon’s existence was first discovered by Sir
William Ramsay and Morris Travers. They
discovered it in 1898 in an experiment involving
cooling air to a liquid state, and identifying each
gas boiling off as they heated the air to a gaseous
state. There was only very little Xenon in the
air they used, as Xenon is only there to the
extent of 0.087 ppm in the atmosphere.
Isotopes and Compounds
Xenon was thought to be a completely inactive gas,
and scientists still haven’t discovered too many
Xenon compounds. Some of the ones they have
discovered include Xenon Trioxide (XeO 3 ) and
Xenon Oxytetrafluoride (XeOF 4 ). There are
also nine naturally occurring isotopes of Xenon.
Fun Facts
Xenon is one of few completely colorless and
odorless gases, though varieties can be created
with color.
It makes up only 0.087 parts per million of the
atmosphere and is four times heavier than
Oxygen.
When excited by electricity, it releases a blue-white
glow.
Thanks for reading!