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Xenon is a noble gas element in the periodic table denoted by the symbol (Xe). Xenon is inert in nature. It has atomic number 54 and a mass number of 131.2293 g/mol. Xenon was discovered in 1898 by William Ramsay and Morris Travers. Xenon is used in making devices like fog lamps, arc lamps, photo picture tubes, etc. Initially, Xenon was considered to be fully inert (unreactive) in nature but later it was discovered that it can form compounds like xenon hexafluoroplatinate and also it emits blue light when excited electrically.
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Key Terms: Xenon, Inert Gas, Noble Gas, Optical Devices, Spectroscopy, xenon hexafluoroplatinate, Isotopes
What is Xenon?
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Xenon is present in abundance in nature but due to very minimal commercial use, it is extracted in a limited amount. It is believed that the atmosphere has 20 billion tonnes of Xenon. But only 1 ton a year is extracted. Xenon being an inert gas produces blue light rays which are widely used in making fog lamps and reflectors for vehicles.
Xenon
Xenon gas is harmful to health if inhaled in excessive amounts. This can even cause death. It acts as a natural anesthetic agent which can make a person unconscious. Xenon is an important element in NMR Spectroscopy. It is also used to measure the flow of blood in various medical operations.
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Physical Properties of Xenon
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- Xenon is a colourless, odourless, tasteless gas which is neutral in nature.
- Atomic number of Xenon is 54.
- Xenon is a trace gas which means it constitutes less than 1% by volume of the earth's atmosphere.
- It is categorized as a component of gases produced from a few mineral springs.
- Being an inert gas it has no lustre , malleability or ductility and is also a very poor conductor of electricity.
- It is a flammable gas but only at very high temperatures.
- Xenon is diamagnetic in nature.
Illumination of Xenon
Chemical Properties of Xenon:
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- Xenon is a noble gas but forms a compound called xenon hexafluoroplatinate and has 21 isotopes.
- Xe(132) is the key isotope.
- Xenon belongs to the 5th period of p block in group 18 and has an electronic configuration of 4d105s25p6.
- It has a melting point and boiling point of 161.4 k and 165.051k respectively.
- Xenon is liberated as a byproduct in the following reaction of separation of air into Nitrogen and Oxygen.
- The internal hybridisation in the Xe central atom is Sp³d.
Read More: Organometallic compounds
Uses of Xenon
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- Xenon is used in making lamps, arc lights, picture tubes, fog lamps, etc.
- Xenon is used in making lasers as it emits blue light when its electrons are excited by electric charge.
- In the medical field Xenon is used as an anesthetic agent.
- Inhaling the mixture of Xenon and oxygen produces a hormone which helps in increasing RBC count in the body in a limited amount.
- It is a major component in NMR spectroscopy.
- Xenon is used in measuring the flow of blood in the body.
- It is also in imaging systems of internal organs of the body.
- Xenon is used to make light rays for killing bacteria and maintaining hygiene in the food and medical industry.
- Xenon is used in nuclear plants for moderating nuclear reactions.
- Silicon microprocessors are etched with xenon difluoride.
- Invitro and invivo studies have proven that Xenon has therapeutic effects on various neurodegenerative outcomes.
- Xenon is used to make a drug called 5-fluorouracil which is used in cancer treatments.
- Xenon is used in satellite propulsion systems to keep them in orbit.
Read More: Red Phosphorous
Effect of Xenon
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- Xenon can be harmful if exposed to humans in a larger quantity.
- When Xenon gas is in the form of Vent gas, it should be disposed of carefully.
- Xenon gas shouldn't be disposed of in an open environment.
- In extreme conditions, over-exposure to xenon can cause fatal lung issues and affect the respiratory system.
Things to Remember
- Xenon is a noble gas with the chemical symbol Xe.
- It belongs to the p block elements and is part of Group 18.
- The electron configuration of Xenon is 4d105s25p6.
- It is inert in nature but forms a compound xenon hexafluoroplatinate.
- Xenon emits a blue light and is used in making lamps, arc lights, picture tubes, fog lamps, etc.
- Xenon is a major component in NMR spectroscopy.
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Sample Questions
Ques. Is xenon a metal or nonmetal? (2 marks)
Ans: Xenon is present in the 5 th period of group 18 which means it is a noble gas and a nonmetal.
Ques. What are the physical properties of xenon? (2 marks)
Ans: Xenon is a colourless, odourless, tasteless gas which is unreactive in nature.
Ques. What are the compounds formed when xenon reacts with fluoride? (2 marks)
Ans: Xenon is known to make good fluorides and it often forms compounds such as XeF4 and XeF6 when reacted with fluorine.
Ques. What is the electronic configuration of a Xenon atom? (2 marks)
Ans. Xenon has atomic number 54 and the electronic configuration of 4d105s25p6
Ques. Why has xenon hexafluoride distorted octahedral geometry? (2 marks)
Ans. Due to the presence of 1 lone pair in the outermost shell of xenon the octahedral geometry is distorted.
Ques. Who discovered Xenon? (2 marks)
Ans. Xenon was discovered by Sir William Ramsay and Morris Travers in 1898.
Ques. What are the uses of xenon ? (2 marks)
Ans: Xenon is used in making arc lamps, Fog lamps for vehicles, It is used to make drugs which are helpful in the treatment of cancer, Xenon is used in nuclear power plants and in satellites to keep them in their orbit.
Ques. Name two ongoing project research in xenon? (2 marks)
Ans: Xenon Dark matter Project and Large underground Xenon collaboration (LUX).
Ques. Which radioactive matter decays to form xenon? (2 marks)
Ans: Iodine-131 forms xenon when it decays.
Ques. Name a reaction in which xenon is liberated as a by-product? (2 marks)
Ans: When air is separated into nitrogen and oxygen then xenon is liberated as a by-product.
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