neon

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neon (symbol Ne) Gaseous nonmetallic element, a noble gas. Colourless and odourless, it is present in the atmosphere (0.0018% by volume) and is obtained by the fractional distillation of liquid air. Discovered in 1898 by Scottish chemist William Ramsey and English chemist Morris Travers (1872–1961), its main use is in discharge tubes for advertising signs (emitting a red glow while conducting electricity) and in gas lasers, geiger counters, and particle detectors. It forms no compounds. Properties: at.no. 10; r.a.m. 20.179; m.p. −248.67°C (−415.6°F); b.p. −246.05°C (−410.89°F); most common isotope Ne20 (90.92%).

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