Krypton facts for kids
Krypton is a special kind of gas called a noble gas. This means it usually doesn't mix or react with other elements. It's completely clear, has no taste, and no smell. You can find a tiny bit of it in the air around us, but it's very rare – only about one part in a million! The name Krypton comes from the Greek word kryptos, which means "hidden."
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What is Krypton Used For?
The main thing Krypton is used for is to make light. It's often found in special light bulbs called gas discharge lamps. These lamps work by sending electricity through the gas, which makes it glow.
There are a few ways Krypton is used to make light:
- Low-energy lights: These are like "neon lights" but use Krypton. They glow in colors from near-white to green.
- Flashbulbs: These are super bright lights that flash for a very short time. They are mostly used by photographers and glow a bright blue-white.
- High-energy lights: These powerful lights are often used to light up airport runways. They also shine a bright blue-white.
Krypton is element number 36 on the periodic table of elements. Its chemical symbol is Kr.
How Was Krypton Discovered?
Krypton was found in Great Britain in 1898 by two scientists, Sir William Ramsay and Morris Travers. Sir William Ramsay later won the 1904 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his important work on noble gases.
It was tricky to find Krypton because it's so rare and hidden among other gases. Ramsay thought it existed, but he could only find it after removing all the other gases from an air sample. That's why he gave it the name "Krypton," meaning "hidden."
You might have heard of "Kryptonite" or a planet called "Krypton" from the Superman comics. These are fictional and were created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The made-up planet is probably more famous than the real chemical element!
Related pages
Images for kids
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Sir William Ramsay, the discoverer of krypton
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Kr(H2)4 and H2 solids formed in a diamond anvil cell.
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Structure of Kr(H2)4. Krypton octahedra (green) are surrounded by randomly oriented hydrogen molecules.
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Krypton gas discharge tube
See also
In Spanish: Kriptón para niños
