Definition:
Xenon is a chemical element with the symbol Xe and atomic number 54. It belongs to the group of noble gases in the periodic table, known for their inertness and stability. Xenon is colourless, odourless, and tasteless, and it is most commonly used in lighting, medical imaging, anaesthesia, and various industrial applications.
Etymology & Origin:
The name “xenon” is derived from the Greek word “xenos,” meaning “strange” or “foreign,” reflecting its relatively rare occurrence in the Earth’s atmosphere compared to other gases. Xenon was discovered in 1898 by Scottish chemists Sir William Ramsay and Morris Travers through fractional distillation of liquid air.
Examples:
- Xenon is used in xenon arc lamps for specialized lighting in movie projectors, auto-mobile headlights, and high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps.
- In medicine, xenon gas is employed in xenon anaesthesia for its anaesthetic properties and in xenon CT scanning for imaging purposes.
- Xenon is also utilized in plasma display panels, ion propulsion systems for spacecraft, and as a propellant in ion thrusters.
