Neon (Ne) has a total of 10 electrons, and all of these electrons are located in its outermost energy level, which is known as the “valence shell.” Therefore, neon has 8 valence electrons. This is because the first energy level can hold up to 2 electrons, and the second energy level can hold up to 8 electrons, and neon has completely filled the second energy level with its 10 electrons. The fact that neon has a completely filled valence shell makes it a stable and unreactive element, and this is one of the reasons why it is classified as a noble gas.
More About Neon
Neon is a chemical element with the symbol Ne and atomic number 10. It is a member of the noble gas group on the periodic table, which also includes helium, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon. Like the other noble gases, neon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and non-toxic gas that is inert, meaning it does not readily react with other elements or compounds under normal conditions.
Neon has a relatively low boiling point of -246.1°C (-411°F) and a low melting point of -248.6°C (-415°F), and it is commonly used in gas-discharge lamps, such as neon lights and neon signs. When an electric current is passed through a tube containing neon gas, the gas emits a bright orange-red light, which is used in a variety of lighting applications.
Neon was discovered in 1898 by the British chemists Sir William Ramsay and Morris W. Travers, who were studying the gases released from a mineral called cleveite. They found that the gas emitted a brilliant red light when an electric current was passed through it, and they named the gas “neon,” which comes from the Greek word for “new.”
Neon is one of the most abundant elements in the universe, and it is formed through nuclear fusion in the hearts of stars. However, it is relatively rare on Earth, and it is typically obtained through the fractional distillation of liquid air. Neon has a number of other applications, including in cryogenics, plasma displays, and as a refrigerant in certain applications.