Xenon is a chemical element with symbol Xe and atomic number 54. It is a colorless, dense, odorless noble gas, that occurs in the Earth's atmosphere in trace amounts. Although generally unreactive, xenon can undergo a few chemical reactions such as the formation of xenon hexafluoroplatinate, the first noble gas compound to be synthesized.
Three reasons Xenon stands out
- 1
Used in light bulbs, known for its blue glow.
- 2
It is used as a propellant in ion-drive spacecraft thrusters because its heavy atoms produce efficient thrust.
- 3
In 1962 it became the first noble gas ever shown to form a true chemical compound, overturning a long-held scientific belief.
The noble gas that broke the rules
Xenon’s heavy atoms are polarizable enough to form genuine compounds, overturning the old belief that noble gases were completely inert. It produces bright flashes in lamps, works as an anesthetic, and propels spacecraft in ion engines. Xenon is effective precisely because it is heavy and chemically clean.