xenon

American  

[zee-non, zen-on] / ˈzi nɒn, ˈzɛn ɒn /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a heavy, colorless, chemically inactive, monatomic gaseous element used for filling radio, television, and luminescent tubes. Xe; 131.30; 54.

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xenon British  

/ ˈzɛnɒn /

noun

1. a colourless odourless gaseous element occurring in trace amounts in air; formerly considered inert it is now known to form compounds and is used in radio valves, stroboscopic and bactericidal lamps, and bubble chambers. Symbol: Xe; atomic no: 54; atomic wt: 131.29; valency: 0; density: 5.887 kg/m³; melting pt: –111.76°C; boiling pt: –108.0°C

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xenon Scientific  

/ zē′nŏn′ /

1. A colorless, odorless element in the noble gas group occurring in extremely small amounts in the atmosphere. It was the first noble gas found to form compounds with other elements. Xenon is used in lamps that make intense flashes, such as strobe lights and flashbulbs for photography. Atomic number 54; atomic weight 131.29; melting point −111.9°C; boiling point −107.1°C; density (gas) 5.887 grams per liter; specific gravity (liquid) 3.52 (−109°C).

2. See Periodic Table

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Etymology

Origin of xenon

1898; < Greek xénon, neuter of xénos strange ( -on ² ); name introduced by William Ramsay, the element's discoverer

Example Sentences

Such a detector would push the liquid xenon approach to its limit, because at that size, it would be sensitive enough to begin detecting a flood of particles called neutrinos from the Sun.

From Science Magazine

He described it as “like a thermos” made of “perhaps the purest titanium in the world” designed to keep the liquid xenon cold and keep background radiation at a minimum.

From Seattle Times

If current liquid xenon detectors get much bigger, they should start to see well-known particles called neutrinos, which stream from the Sun.

From Science Magazine

Semiconductor manufacturers are warily eyeing global stocks of neon, xenon and palladium, necessary to manufacture their products.

From New York Times

The Explain study uses xenon, an odourless, colourless, tasteless and chemically non-reactive gas, to investigate possible lung damage in the patients who have not been admitted to hospital, but continue to experience the symptom.

From The Guardian