INORGANIC CHEMISTRY A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site xenon (Xe) A xenon atom. Notice that the outer electron shell has 8 electrons and is therefore full. This makes xenon extremely unreactive. Credit: The Open Door Website Xenon is normally a colorless gas, but it emits a blue glow when excited by an electrical discharge. Credit: Pslawinski, Wikipedia A colorless, odorless, highly unreactive gaseous element. Xenon (Xe) is a member of the noble gas family. It is found in minute quantities (about one part in 20 milllion) in Earth's atmosphere and about half a ton a year is extracted commercially from the fractionation of liquefied air. Xenon is used in stroboscopic, bactericidal, and flash lights and in lasers. Xenon has nine stable istopes of which the most common is 132Xe. It forms a small number of covalent compounds with fluorine and oxygen, showing oxidation numbers +2, +4, +6, and +8. They are reactive and highly oxidizing, and are unstable in acid solution. Most of the crystalline xenate (VIII) salts (XeO64-) are stable. Xenon was discovered in 1898 by William Ramsay and his assistant, Morris William Travers, shortly after they had identified neon and krypton. atomic number 54 relative atomic mass 131.30 melting point -111.9°C (-169.4°F) boiling point -108.1°C (-162.6°F) relative density (liq) 3.52 (-109 °C) Related category    • INORGANIC CHEMISTRY Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP