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Trace
Elements Laboratory |
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A
Joint Venture of London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph's
Health Care London
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Xenon
(Xe)
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This element is not currently measured in this
laboratory.
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| Atomic Number: |
54
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| Atomic Symbol: |
Xe
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| Atomic Weight: |
131.30
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| Electron Configuration: |
[Kr]5s24d105p6
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Xenon
is a "noble" or "inert" gas present
in the atmosphere to a small extent. Xenon is present in
the
Martian atmosphere to the extent of about 0.08 ppm. Before
1962, it was generally assumed that xenon and other noble
gases were unable to form compounds. Among the compounds
of xenon now reported are xenon hydrate ,sodium perxenate,
xenon deuterate, difluoride, tetrafluoride, hexafluoride,
and XePtF6 and XeRhF6. The highly explosive xenon trioxide,
XeO3, is known.
Metallic xenon is produced by applying several hundred kilobars
of pressure. Xenon in a vacuum tube produces a blue glow
when excited by an electrical discharge and finds use in
strobe lamps. It is an odourless, colourless, inert gas.
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