Education
Neon (Ne)
Element with atomic number 10, category: Noble gas, a gas at room temperature.
Element 10 of 118
Noble gas
Neon
Group 18, Period 2
Common Uses
Neon lights
Electron Diagram
About Neon
Neon is a chemical element with the symbol Ne and atomic number 10, meaning every atom has 10 protons in its nucleus. It is classed as Noble gas and is a gas at room temperature. Its atomic mass is about 20.180 atomic mass units (u).
On the periodic table, Neon sits in group 18, period 2, which determines how many electron shells it has and how it tends to react with other elements.
Uses of Neon
In daily life and industry, Neon is used for Neon lights. These uses are closely tied to the typical properties of elements in the Noble gas category.
Electron Structure of Neon
Using a simplified electron shell model (at most 2 electrons in the first shell, 8 in the second, 18 in the third, and so on), Neon has 2 electron shells, with an approximate arrangement of 2, 8 electrons from the innermost shell to the outermost. This is a simplified learning model, not the full electron configuration that accounts for the s, p, d and f subshells.
Explore Other Elements
Want to see another element or try the element symbol quiz? Go back to the Interactive Periodic Table to explore all 118 chemical elements.