Element 10 · Noble gas
Neon (Ne) — Element 10
Greek neos — new
Neon (Ne) is a noble gas in Period 2, Group 18 of the periodic table with atomic number 10, standard atomic weight 20.180 u, and ground-state electron configuration [He] 2s² 2p⁶. At standard temperature and pressure it is classified as a gas with 0 valence electrons and common oxidation states 0.
Neon signs, cryogenics, lasers
What are the atomic properties and physical constants of Neon?
Reference constants compiled from IUPAC standard atomic weights, the NIST Atomic Spectra Database, and the CRC Handbook.
- Atomic number (Z)
- 10
- Standard atomic mass
- 20.180 u
- Chemical family
- Noble gas
- Ground-state configuration
- [He] 2s² 2p⁶
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8
- Valence electrons
- 0
- Common ion charges / oxidation states
- 0
- Phase at STP
- Gas
- Pauling electronegativity
- —
- First ionization energy
- 2,081 kJ/mol
- Atomic radius
- 38 pm
- Melting point
- -249 °C
- Boiling point
- -246 °C
- Discovery year
- 1898
- Table coordinate
- Period 2, Group 18
- Radioactivity
- Has stable isotope(s)
How are electrons arranged across Neon’s shells?
A neutral Neon atom contains 10 electrons distributed across 2 occupied principal energy shells ([He] 2s² 2p⁶). The table below compares Neon’s shell occupancy against each shell’s theoretical 2n² capacity.
| Principal Shell (n) | Spectroscopic Letter | Electrons in Ne | Max Shell Capacity (2n²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| n = 1 | K | 2 e⁻ | 2 e⁻ |
| n = 2 | L | 8 e⁻ | 8 e⁻ |
Frequently Asked Questions about Neon (Ne)
What is the atomic mass and atomic number of Neon (Ne)?
Neon (Ne) has atomic number Z = 10 (10 protons in its nucleus) and an IUPAC standard atomic weight of 20.180 u. It sits in Period 2, Group 18 and is classified as a noble gas.
What is the ground-state electron configuration of Neon?
The neutral ground-state electron configuration of Neon (Z = 10) is [He] 2s² 2p⁶. Across its 2 occupied principal shells (n = 1 to n = 2), the electrons per shell are 2, 8, with 0 valence electrons participating in bonding.
What are the common ion charges and electronegativity of Neon?
Neon commonly forms 0 oxidation states or ion charges in compounds. Its Pauling electronegativity is — and its first ionization energy is 2,081 kJ/mol.
When was Neon discovered and what is it used for?
Neon was discovered in 1898 (Greek neos — new). Neon signs, cryogenics, lasers
How does Neon compare to neighboring elements?
Other noble gas elements: