Neon belongs to the 18th group and comes under the family of noble gases. It is a monoatomic gas with no colour or odour. Let us learn more about neon nature as given below.
Neon exists as gas In the atmosphere and is represented by the chemical symbol Ne with an atomic number of 10. It is an inert gas in nature and was discovered along with xenon and krypton in 1898. Neon also comes under the category of rare inert gases.
The other important characteristics of neon-like its structural composition, bond angle, formal charges and uses are explained in this article.
How to draw a neon structure?
Neon is a noble with a fully-filled electron in its outermost core shell. The following steps can be followed to generate a structure for neon.
1. Write down the electronic configuration of neon.
The electronic arrangement of the neon atom is 1s2 2s2 2p6 as it has an atomic number of 10. It is clear from the electronic configuration that 4 electrons belong to the s orbitals and 6 electrons to the p orbital.
2. Count the number of electrons present for bonding
The valence count for Ne is 8. This is because the electrons belonging to the outer orbitals can capable of participating in the chemical reactions as they feel less attraction from the nucleus.
3. Pictorial representation of lewis structure of neon
Neon is monoatomic and represented by Ne as an elemental symbol. In the structural representation of neon, Ne is placed at the center and valence electrons associated with it represent in the form of dots called lewis structures as shown in the given picture.
Neon structure resonance
Resonance refers to the delocalization of the electrons within the molecule to add stability through increasing entropy of the system. Let us looks for resonance in neon.
Resonance is not possible for neon. This is because orbitals are all already arranged stably and left no space for electrons to move.
Neon structure shape
A structural entity is important for any existable structure. The following paragraph describes the structural shape of neon.
Neon in nature exists as gas but the solid-state structure of neon adopts Face centered cubic arrangement as shown in the figure.
Neon structure formal charge
The whole charge carried by any chemical entity is referred as formal charge. Let us know the formal charge for the neon atom as given below.
The formal charge is zero for neon. and hence a neutral entity. This is because neon is related to the noble gas family and every noble gas has zero formal charges on it.
Neon structure angle
The structure angle gives information regarding the distance and repulsion between the atoms within the molecule. Let us observe for neon.
Three angles namely alpha and beta gamma are present in the FCC (Face centered cubic) structure of the neon. All these three angles are equal to each other and have the value of 900
The neon structure octet rule
As per the octet rule, every atom must have an 8 or the stable number of electrons in its outermost subshell. The details about the octet rule for neon structure are given below.
Neon is considered a good example of the octet rule as it has 8 electrons together in its outer orbitals. The 2s comprise total 2 whereas 2p has 6 electrons respectively.
Neon structure lone pairs
Lone pairs do not participate during reactions but impact the geometry of the concerning molecules. Let us count the number of lone pairs associated with the neon atom.
Neon has zero number of lone pairs. This is because neon is an element and monoatomic too. The number of lone pairs can be considered only when they react with other atoms to form molecules For example Ne.Be2O2.Ne.
Neon valence electrons
Valence electrons are those electrons which initiated the whole chemical process at atomic levels. Let us look for the number of valence electrons available for neon.
Neon has 8 valence electrons in total. As it has an electronic configuration of 2s2 2p6. Hence, collectively eight in number.
Neon hybridization
The procedure of hybridization tells us how the existing molecules are formed. The idea behind the neon hybridization is described below.
The existing neon compounds like I2Ne2, I2Ne3, and I2Ne4 indicate SP type of hybridization which is characterized by the Coulomb explosion imaging technique. The hybridization of neon directly depends on the type of ligand or atom attached to it.
Neon solubility
Solubility represents the extent of the given substance in a particular solvent. Let us see the solubility extent for neon as given below.
The solubility factor for neon is still under experimental investigation. This happens because neon is an inert gas and interacts with the known solvents.
Neon uses
Due to the non-reactive nature of neon, it has wide applications in different fields. The uses of neon are given below.
- It is used in electronics like voltage stabilizers, wavemeters and television tubes also.
- It is used for conduction lams as it emits reddish-orange light in its excited state.
- It is also utilized as a cryogenic refrigerant.
Is neon soluble in water?
Neon on mixing with water if form a homogenous solution. It means water is a good solvent for neon. Let us look for neon solubility in water.
Neon is not completely soluble in water. However, under some conditions, it is soluble to some extent of 10.510.5 cm3/kg at 293K.
How and why neon is not completely soluble in water?
Neon is partially dissolved in water because neon does not interact with the water molecules and hence no reaction takes place.
Is neon a strong electrolyte?
A strong electrolyte is a chemical substance which dissociated into ions completely and generates electricity. Let us look for neon.
Neon does not belong to the class of strong electrolytes because it is a gas with a stable electronic configuration and hence, it does not react at normal temperature.
Why and how neon is not a strong electrolyte?
Neon cannot act as a strong electrolyte because it can not exist as an ionic compound which easily breaks inside the solution to generate the flow of current.
Is neon acidic or basic?
The acidity and basicity of any molecule depend upon the fact that whether the intended molecule capable of giving either proton or hydroxyl ion. Let us look for neon.
Neon is neither acidic nor basic. This is because it does not enhance the hydrogen concentration. Likewise, neon does not affect the OH– concentration of the given solution.
Is neon polar or nonpolar?
The structural arrangement of the molecules tells whether it is non-polar or polar. The explanation of the polar or non-polar attribute of neon is given below.
Neon is non-polar as it is an inert gas and most gases are non-polar in nature.
How and why neon is non-polar?
The non-polarity of neon is due to its symmetrical arrangement of electrons in neon orbitals.
Is neon a lewis acid or base?
According to lewis acid and base definition, acid is a substance that accepts electron pairs whereas the base donates electrons pairs. Let us find for neon.
Neon is neither considered a lewis acid nor lewis base. This happens because neon does not have vacant orbitals to accept electrons. Neon also does not contribute its lone pair to the other atom and hence cannot be considered a base.
Why and how does neon neither behave like lewis acid nor as lewis base?
Neon can not act as lewis acid and base because it does not have empty d orbitals to accommodate incoming electron pairs and electronic arrangement in such a way that it requires lots of energy to donate its electron pair to act as a base.
Is neon linear?
The molecule is considered linear only when the structural angle for that particular molecule comes out to be 1800. The explanation behind the neon’s linearity is given below.
Neon can be called linear only when it boned with another molecule in the linear form. For example CF4Ne and CCl4Ne. These are van der Waal molecules of neon which are considered linear.
How and why neon is linear?
The linearity of the neon depends upon the fact that neon is bonded to what kind of ligand. Usually, neon does not form molecules but under standard conditions, it forms linear structures with the respective ligands.
Is neon magnetic?
If the given molecule is responded to the earth’s magnetic field then it is taken as a magnetic molecule. Let’s see whether the neon is magnetic or not.
Neon is diamagnetic i.e. non-magnetic as all the electrons are paired and they cancel out each other magnetic field. Hence, neon does not produce an effective magnetic field of its own.
Why and how neon is non-magnetic?
Neon is non-magnetic because no free electron is available for neon. As magnetism arises when free electrons move on their spin and produce their magnetic field which responds to the earth’s magnetic field.
Is neon a conductor?
A conductor allows the flow of electrons to pass through it. The explanation behind the conducting or non-conducting nature of the neon is given below.
Neon is a non-conductor and does not generate electricity under room conditions. However, in the presence of extremely low pressure and with a high magnitude of voltage it produces electricity to some extent.
Why and how does neon conducts electricity when subjected to low pressure?
Neon conducts electricity because it gets ionised at low pressure and the resultant ions further produce electricity.
Is neon metallic or non-metallic?
Depending upon the certain set of properties, some elements consider metals and non-metals. Let us observe to which category neon is related.
Neon is a non-metallic as it satisfied all the characteristic properties of a non-metal and is hence placed under non-metals in the periodic table.
Is neon a mixture?
When two chemicals react with each other together to form a homogenous solution is called a mixture. Let us find for neon.
Neon is not a mixture. This is due to the reason that neon itself is an element and also exists as monoatomic and hardly interacts with other molecules.
Is neon brittle?
Brittle is one of the properties of metals which indicates that a metal can be breakable. Let us look through the possibility of neon being brittle or not as given below.
- Neon is non-brittle because of the following two reasons.
- Neon is a gas
- The electrons in the subshell of neon are resistible to the interacting atoms in the surroundings.
Is neon crystalline or amorphous?
The terms crystalline and amorphous are used to define the perfect or imperfect structure of a solid. The explanation that how neon is related to these terms is given below.
Neon neither be crystalline nor amorphous as it exist as a gas and gases donot have shapes.
Is neon hard?
Hardness shows the extent of surface tolerance of a metal. The below paragraph explains how this factor is relatable to the neon.
Neon is not hard because hardness is the attribute of the solid-state but neon is gas.
Is neon lead?
Lead is an another important element with wide range of applications. The below paragraph explains whether neon is lead or not.
Neon is not lead as lead is another individual element in the periodic table and represented by Pb with atomic number 82 and also a metal whereas neon is non-metal.
Is neon lighter than steel?
Element with lighter weight has wider applications and hence a important characteristic of any element. Let us see if neon can be consider lighter or not as given below.
Neon is lighter than steel because neon is the second lightest gas whereas steel is solid heavy metal.
Why and how neon is lighter?
Neon is a lighter element as it exists in the form of gas and gases have a larger surface area with more intermolecular forces within. Therefore, they are lighter.
Is neon malleable?
Malleable refers to the property of a substance by changing its shape without getting cracks on its surface. Let us see if neon is malleable or not.
Neon is not malleable as it occurs in a gaseous state and gases can be compressed but gases don’t have fixed shapes.
Why and how neon is not malleable?
Neon is not malleable because it is a non-metal and malleability is the property of metals.
Is neon radioactive?
If the concerned substance at atomic levels keeps on disintegrating and emits radio waves then the intended compound considers radioactive. Let us look for neon.
Neon is non-radioactive as the arrangement of the electrons in its orbitals is such that the whole system becomes stable and hence there is no need for the nucleus to disintegrate itself to convert into more stable forms.
Why and how neon is non-radioactive?
Neon is non-radioactive because neon is stable in its elemental form and hence, there is no need for the nucleus of neon to undergo further chemical reactions to attain stability.
Conclusion
Neon is a monoatomic noble gas with a stable electronic configuration and a zero formal charge on it.
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Hello…Myself is Pomila Sharma. I have done my master’s in Chemistry with a specialization in synthetic organic chemistry. I have published 4 research articles. I am very passionate about the chemistry world. I believe it’s all about chemistry so let’s explore it together.
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