noble gas
Chemically aloof element
Noble gases are the elements in the rightmost column of the periodic table: helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon.
They're called noble because they rarely react with other elements—their outer electron shells are full, making them chemically aloof.
Most are used in lighting and industrial applications; helium fills balloons and cools superconducting magnets.
Lightest noble gas
- neonInert illuminating element
- argonUnreactive element eighteen
- kryptonInert gas, atomic thirty-six
- xenonElement fifty-four, noble gas
radon · periodic table · monatomic · nonreactive · inert · unreactive · valence electrons · atomic number
Devoid of pigmentation
- odorlessHaving no smell
- tastelessHaving no flavor
- monatomicSingle-atom composition
- low densityFew particles per area
nonflammable · insulating · buoyant · unreactive · transparent · nontoxic · liquefied · sublimation
Electrified gas tube advertisements
- discharge tubesSealed vessels conducting through gas
- fluorescentEmitting light when energized
- glowSteady, soft light
- luminescenceHeatless light emission
spectral lines · plasma · signage · marquee · electroluminescence · colored light · advertising · excitation
Ultralow temperature science
- balloonsAir-filled rubber sacs
- airshipsSteerable lighter-than-atmosphere craft
- window insulationMaterial blocking pane drafts
- arc weldingElectric-heat metal fusion
food packaging · incandescent bulbs · anesthesia · leak detection · superconductivity · blimps · double glazing
helium
Lightest noble gas
xenon · radon · periodic table · monatomic · nonreactive · inert · unreactive · valence electrons · atomic number · electronegativity
colorless
Devoid of pigmentation
low density · nonflammable · insulating · buoyant · unreactive · transparent · nontoxic · liquefied · sublimation · solubility
neon signs
Electrified gas tube advertisements
- discharge tubesSealed vessels conducting through gas
- fluorescentEmitting light when energized
- glowSteady, soft light
luminescence · spectral lines · plasma · signage · marquee · electroluminescence · colored light · advertising · excitation · emission spectrum
cryogenics
Ultralow temperature science
- balloonsAir-filled rubber sacs
- airshipsSteerable lighter-than-atmosphere craft
- window insulationMaterial blocking pane drafts
arc welding · food packaging · incandescent bulbs · anesthesia · leak detection · superconductivity · blimps · double glazing
- gasesair, oxygen, helium, nitrogen, hydrogen
- chemistryatom, atoms, organic chemistry, molecule, chemistry
- element typesmetal, nonmetal, metalloid, halogen, alkaline earth
- industrial gasesargon, helium, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen
- non-reactiveinert, unreactive, argon, helium, neon
- Nonpolarhexane, octane, benzene, toluene, methane