A Visual Encyclopedia of the Periodic Table

197

Noble Gases

Xenon

Xe

54

Forms

Uses

54 54 77

State: Gas

Discovery: 1898

Xenon is so rare that there is only one atom

of this gaseous element for every 10 million

atoms in the air. Like the other noble gases,

xenon is colourless and odourless. It glows brightly

when electrified, making it useful in very powerful

lamps, such as those used in film projectors and

car headlights. The gas is harmless when

breathed in and can be used as an anaesthetic.

When preparing food, xenon lamps can purify

the air. To propel spacecraft, xenon is used in

some rocket engines that produce streams

of fast-moving, electrified atoms.

Xenon is a transparent

gas but it glows with a

blue light when an electric

current flows through it.

Plasm

a (^) b
all
Electrified xenon blasts
from the exhaust, pushing
the probe forwards.
Dawn space probe
Xenon glow
disinfects the air
in a room.
Anaesthesia machine
High pressure inside this
lamp makes electrified xenon
glow very brightly.
The xenon produced
by this device makes
a patient unconscious
before an operation.
Car headlight
Xenon headlights glow
brighter than the more
common halogen headlights.
Pu
re
x
en
on
in
a^
gla
ss^ s
pher
e
Xenon is
used in powerful
lasers that
can kill
bacteria.
Modern film projector lamp
This sample
of xenon is
trapped in a
glass sphere.
X
ne
o
n
(^) la
m
p
196-197_Krypton_Xenon.indd 197 12/12/16 5:40 pm