xenon

/ˈziːnɑːn/
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A heavy, colorless noble gas, element 54, valued in specialized lighting, space propulsion, imaging, anesthesia research, and reactive fluorine chemistry.

Examples

  • The periodic table lists xenon under the symbol Xe.
  • Doctors have studied xenon as an inhaled anesthetic.
  • Trace amounts of xenon occur naturally in the atmosphere.
  • Some spacecraft use ion engines that accelerate xenon propellant.
  • The laboratory ordered a cylinder of xenon for the detector.

Similar words

Meanings

Usage

Use the bare word for the element or gas, and use fuller compounds for applications: xenon lamp, xenon propellant, xenon anesthesia, or xenon difluoride.

Common mistakes

Xn is written for the symbol, but the correct chemical symbol is Xe.

Etymology

Named in 1898 by William Ramsay and Morris Travers after Greek xenon, neuter of xenos, meaning strange or foreign, after the gas was isolated from residues of liquefied air.

FAQ

What does xenon mean?

Xenon is the chemical element with symbol Xe and atomic number 54.

Is xenon a gas?

Yes. Xenon is a colorless, odorless noble gas at ordinary temperatures.

What is xenon used for?

Xenon is used in specialized lamps, flash tubes, ion propulsion, imaging work, and anesthesia research.

Where does the name xenon come from?

Xenon comes from Greek xenos, meaning strange or foreign.

Is xenon the same as neon?

No. Xenon and neon are separate noble gases with different atomic numbers and uses.

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