Neon facts for kids
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Neon is a special gas that you can't see or smell. It's a chemical element and has the number 10 on the periodic table. Its symbol is Ne. The name "neon" comes from a Greek word meaning "new."
Contents
How Was Neon Found?
Two scientists, William Ramsay and Morris W. Travers, found neon in 1898. They discovered it while studying other gases. It was a new and exciting discovery!
What Makes Neon Special?
Neon is a "noble gas." This means it doesn't like to mix or react with other elements. Because of this, you'll always find neon by itself. There isn't much neon in the air, and since it's clear, we can't see it around us.
Neon usually doesn't form chemical compounds with other elements. This is because it's very stable on its own.
Where Do We Use Neon?
Neon gas is used in special lights called gas discharge lamps. When electricity passes through neon gas, it glows a bright red color. This amazing quality makes it perfect for signs! Many bright signs you see are called "neon signs."
Bright "Neon" Colors
Sometimes, people use the word "neon" to describe very bright colors. For example, you might hear about "neon green" or "neon pink." These colors are super vibrant, just like the glow of a real neon sign!
Related pages
Images for kids
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In 1913, scientists found the first proof of isotopes (different versions of an element) for a stable element by studying neon gas. The picture shows marks from two neon isotopes, neon-20 and neon-22.
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This image shows the light spectrum of neon. You can see its ultraviolet (left) and infrared (right) light lines in white.
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This picture shows the crystal structure of a neon clathrate hydrate. This is a special cage-like structure where neon atoms are trapped inside water molecules.
See also
In Spanish: Neón para niños
