Xenon is element number 54 on the periodic table of the elements. It has a mass of
roughly 131 atomic mass units. There are 77 neutrons and 54 protons in the nucleus of
the atom. The symbol for xenon is Xe and it belongs to the family of elements called the
noble gases. It is called a noble gas because the valance shell of one atom contains a
full shell. Xenon is one of the most stable elements on the table. The 54 electrons are
arranged, so that there are 2 in the 1st shell, 8 in the 2nd, 18 in the 3rd, 18 in the
4th and lastly 8 in the 5th shell. The melting and boiling points of xenon are extremely
low. They are -111?C and -107?C respectively.
Xenon and most of the other noble gases were discovered by Sir William Ramsey and M.W.
Travers from England in 1898. The two scientists discovered it mistakenly while
experimenting with crude krypton, another noble gas. They were separating the elements
in the crude krypton through a process called fractional distillation. In fractional
distillation, the process separates two elements that have different boiling points.
Basic-ally, when a sample is heated, the faster element leaves first, leaving the second
element behind. Krypton was known to have a boiling point at a temperature that is lower
than xenon. So the scientists could predict that heating the mixture would leave krypton
in the container, while the faster boiling xenon leaving it. After the two scientists
separated krypton and xenon, they identified it as a new element through the emission
spectrum of the gas.
Xenon is used heavily in light bulbs. Many of the bulbs in camera flashes have xenon in
them, because they can be used over 10,000 times without burning out, as well as
producing a good balance of all colors. Xenon is also used in medical purposes. Local
anesthesia is made up of 20% oxygen and 80% xenon. Xenon also can be injected or
breathed into the body to give clearer M.R.I.'s or X-rays. In addition to the uses
above, xenon is also in movie projector lamps, advertising lights, and bubble chambers,
Bubble chambers are devices used by physicists that are used to detect nuclear radiation.
The element is very chemically stable and unradioactive and is generally not harmful to
man. Xenon is also nonflammable. It is only when it combines with other elements that
xenon becomes hazardous. Xenon compounds are highly radioactive. This element accounts
for a very minimal amount of the earth's crust. Only 3x10-9% of the earth contains
xenon. The element is mostly found in the air, and is only collected through special air
separation plants.
In "Science News Magazine," I found an article of interest to me concerning xenon. It
stated that scientists have discovered a way to use xenon to make M.R.I.s of lungs come
out clearer. After exciting rubidium atoms and adding it to xenon, all a patient has to
do is breathe in the xenon to have clearer M.R.I.s. People who breathe in the xenon have
results that are 10,00 to 100,000 clearer than other people who didn't breathe in the
mixture. Scientists have predicted that this technique will be used much more
frequently in the future whenever M.R.I.s are needed to be taken.
In conclusion, doing this report helped me learn a lot about what I think is a
relatively unnoticed element. I have learned the uses of xenon as well has how it can be
helpful in medical procedures. People should try to learn more about this element as one
day it may help you in life. The many uses of this element makes it a very valuable
addition to the periodic table of elements.
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