Neon, a colorless and odorless noble gas under typical conditions, was discovered during a significant period of scientific advancement. The quest to understand the composition of air led researchers to uncover several previously uncharacterized gases. This era of discovery expanded the periodic table and deepened our understanding of the fundamental building blocks of matter.
The Discovery of Neon
Neon was discovered in 1898 in London during a period of intense atmospheric exploration. British chemists Sir William Ramsay and Morris Travers isolated this new element. Their work built upon previous discoveries of noble gases like argon and helium, prompting them to search for additional, similarly unreactive elements.
Ramsay and Travers employed fractional distillation of liquid air. They began by chilling a sample of air until it liquefied. As this liquid air was then gradually warmed, different gases boiled off at specific temperatures, allowing for their separation and collection. After removing the already identified gases, such as nitrogen, oxygen, and argon, a small quantity of residual gases remained.
The scientists analyzed these remaining fractions. In June 1898, after krypton had been identified from a heavier fraction, they isolated a lighter gas. When an electric current was passed through a sample of this newly obtained gas in a vacuum tube, it emitted a brilliant, unmistakable crimson or orange-red light. This striking visual characteristic immediately signaled the presence of a distinct, previously unknown element.
Naming and Early Characterization
The element received its name, “neon,” from the Greek word “neos,” meaning “new.” This name was suggested by Ramsay’s 13-year-old son, Willie, who, upon witnessing the glowing light, proposed “Novum” (Latin for new), which Ramsay then adapted to “neon” to maintain the “-on” suffix common to other noble gases. Morris Travers vividly recalled the moment, describing the “blaze of crimson light from the tube” as a sight to “dwell upon and never forget.”
Following its isolation, researchers noted neon’s defining characteristic: its intense orange-red luminescence when excited by an electrical discharge. It was also classified as a noble gas, indicating its chemical inertness and resistance to forming compounds. This initial understanding of neon’s properties laid the groundwork for its eventual practical applications in various lighting technologies.