Xe

Definition

Xe, or xenon, is a dense, colorless, odorless noble gas that is found in the Earth's atmosphere in trace amounts. As a member of the group 18 elements on the periodic table, xenon exhibits the characteristic properties of the noble gases, including high stability and low reactivity.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Xenon has an atomic number of 54, making it the heaviest naturally occurring noble gas.
2. Xenon is found in the Earth's atmosphere in very low concentrations, comprising approximately 0.000087% of the atmosphere.
3. Xenon is obtained commercially through the fractional distillation of liquid air, where it is separated from the other noble gases.
4. Xenon is a dense gas, with a density of 5.894 g/L at 0°C and 1 atm, which is about 4.5 times the density of air.
5. Xenon is highly unreactive due to its full valence electron shell, but it can form compounds with highly electronegative elements like fluorine and oxygen under certain conditions.

Review Questions

• Explain the significance of xenon's atomic number and how it relates to its position on the periodic table.
  • Xenon has an atomic number of 54, which means it has 54 protons in its nucleus. This places it firmly in group 18 of the periodic table, also known as the noble gases. The noble gases, including xenon, are characterized by their full valence electron shells, which confer high stability and low reactivity. Xenon's atomic number and position on the periodic table are directly related to its chemical properties and behavior.
• Describe the process by which xenon is commercially obtained and the factors that contribute to its low atmospheric concentration.
  • Xenon is commercially obtained through the fractional distillation of liquid air. This process involves the separation of the various components of air, including the noble gases, based on their different boiling points. Xenon, being the heaviest of the noble gases, is one of the last components to be separated. The low concentration of xenon in the Earth's atmosphere, approximately 0.000087%, is due to its high atomic mass and the fact that it is not produced in significant quantities through natural processes, such as volcanic activity or cosmic ray interactions.
• Analyze the factors that contribute to xenon's high density and low reactivity, and discuss the potential applications that arise from these properties.
  • Xenon's high density of 5.894 g/L at 0°C and 1 atm is a direct result of its high atomic mass, which is a consequence of its 54 protons and associated electrons. This dense, heavy nature of xenon gives rise to a variety of potential applications, such as in high-intensity lamps, anesthesia, and as a propellant in ion engines for spacecraft. Additionally, xenon's low reactivity, stemming from its full valence electron shell, allows it to be used in various technological and medical applications without undergoing unwanted chemical reactions. The combination of xenon's density and low reactivity makes it a versatile element with diverse uses in modern society.

Related terms

Noble Gases:

The group 18 elements on the periodic table, including helium (He), neon (Ne), argon (Ar), krypton (Kr), xenon (Xe), and radon (Rn), which are highly stable and generally unreactive due to their full valence electron shells.

Atomic Number:

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which is a unique identifier for each element and determines its chemical properties.

Atomic Mass:

The total mass of an atom, including the mass of its protons, neutrons, and electrons, which varies slightly between different isotopes of the same element.