Symbol

Xe

Atomic Number

54

Atomic Mass

131.29

Family

Group 18 (Viiia) Noble Gas Pronunciation

ZEE-non

Overview

Xenon is a noble gas. The term noble gas is used to describe the elements in Group 18 (VIIIA) of the periodic table. The periodic table is a chart that shows how chemical elements are related to one another. "Noble gas" suggests a group of elements that is "too far above other elements" to react with them. The noble gases are also called the inert gases. That term has the same meaning. The noble gases only react with other elements under very unusual circumstances.

Xenon is very rare in the atmosphere. Its abundance is estimated to be about 0.1 parts per million. Xenon does not have many practical applications. Mostly, it is used to fill specialized lamps.

Discovery and Naming

It took chemists more than a hundred years of careful research to understand the composition of...