Symbol

Ne

Atomic Number

10

Atomic Mass

20.179

Family

Group 18 (Viiia) Noble Gas Pronunciation

NEE-on

Overview

Neon is a member of the noble gas family. Other elements in this family includes helium, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon. These gases are in Group 18 (VIIIA) of the periodic table. The periodic table is a chart that shows how chemical elements are related to each other. The noble gases are sometimes called the inert gases. This name comes from the fact that these elements do not react very readily. In fact, compounds exist for only three noble gases—krypton, radon, and xenon. Chemists have yet to prepare compounds of helium, neon, or argon.

Neon was discovered in 1898 by British chemists William Ramsay (1852-1916) and Morris Travers (1872-1961). It occurs naturally in the atmosphere, but only in very small amounts.

Neon has relatively few uses. The most familiar is neon lighting. Today, neon signs...