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54 Xe Xenon 131.2936

Xenon

NOBLE GAS
Bohr Model: Electrons arranged in energy shells around the nucleus.

Xenon is a chemical element with symbol Xe and atomic number 54. It is a colorless, dense, odorless noble gas, that occurs in the Earth's atmosphere in trace amounts. Although generally unreactive, xenon can undergo a few chemical reactions such as the formation of xenon hexafluoroplatinate, the first noble gas compound to be synthesized.

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Quick Facts

Atomic Number 54
Period 5
Group 18
Phase Gas
Appearance colorless gas, exhibiting a blue glow when placed in a high voltage electric field
About Noble Gass

Noble gases are colorless, odorless, and extremely unreactive (inert) due to having full valence electron shells.

History

Discovered By William Ramsay
Named By Unknown

Physical Properties

Atomic Mass 131.2936
Density 5.894 g/L
Molar Heat N/A J/(mol·K)
Phase Transition (Melting & Boiling Points)

Xenon melts at 161.4 K and boils at 165.051 K.

Atomic Properties

Electron Config [Kr] 4d10 5s2 5p6
Electronegativity 2.6
Electron Affinity -77 kJ/mol
Ionization Energy 1170.4 kJ/mol
Orbital Filling Diagram
This diagram visualizes electron configuration according to the Aufbau principle and Hund's rule. Boxes represent orbitals (s, p, d, f), while arrows indicate electrons with spin up or down. Electrons fill lower energy levels first and occupy orbitals singly before pairing.
Emission Spectrum Emission spectrum of Xenon

Photograph

Image of Xenon Source: Wikipedia

External Resources

Wikipedia PubChem Royal Society of Chemistry Periodic Videos (YouTube)

Study Guide

Atomic Number

The number of protons in the nucleus, which defines the element.

Atomic Mass

The average mass of an atom, including protons and neutrons.

Electronegativity

A measure of how strongly an atom attracts electrons in a bond.

Ionization Energy

The energy required to remove an electron from an atom.

Electron Config

The arrangement of electrons in the atom's energy shells.