Although neon is a very common element in the universe and solar system (it is fifth in cosmic abundance after hydrogen, helium, oxygen and carbon), it is rare on Earth. The compounds of neon currently known include ionic molecules, molecules held together by van der Waals forces and clathrates.ĭuring cosmic nucleogenesis of the elements, large amounts of neon are built up from the alpha-capture fusion process in stars. Neon is chemically inert, and no uncharged neon compounds are known. The name neon is derived from the Greek word, νέον, neuter singular form of νέος ( neos), meaning new. Neon was the second of these three rare gases to be discovered and was immediately recognized as a new element from its bright red emission spectrum. It was discovered (along with krypton and xenon) in 1898 as one of the three residual rare inert elements remaining in dry air, after nitrogen, oxygen, argon and carbon dioxide were removed. Neon is a colorless, odorless, inert monatomic gas under standard conditions, with about two-thirds the density of air.
Neon is a chemical element with the symbol Ne and atomic number 10.
