Neon was discovered in 1898 by British chemists Sir William Ramsay and Morris W. Travers in London, while they were studying the gases released from liquefied air. They identified neon as a new element by its distinct spectral emission when an electric current was applied. Key points
- Discoverers: William Ramsay and Morris Travers [web results indicate 1898 discovery by Ramsay and Travers].
- Method: Condensing air to a liquid, then warming and analyzing the components as they boiled off, which revealed neon along with other noble gases such as krypton and xenon [web results].
- Significance: Neon was recognized as a new element due to its unique glow under electrical stimulation, leading to its name derived from the Greek word neón meaning “new” [historical summaries].
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