THE  FACTS

 

Xenon can be found in the atmosphere in a very small percentage. It can also be found in the Martian atmosphere at about 0.08ppm(parts per million). In order to obtain xenon, chemists use a process call fractional distillation or liquid air. Xenon is used primarily photography and film.

 

 

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The Basic Facts:

Atomic number-54

Atomic mass- 131.29

Boiling point- -111.7 C

Melting point- -108 C  

Density- 5.88 kg/m3

Natural abundance- Xenon is not an extremely abundant element; it, in small quantities, can be found in both the earth and Martian atmosphere.  However, its isotopes while rare, are more prevalent in nature.

 

 Xenon at a normal state is gas, however, under certain amounts of pressure it can be in a solid, crystallized structure.  Under these extreme amounts of  "pressure" the xenon atoms begin to condense into about 225 ccp (cubic close-packed).

The figure to the left is an example of xenon in its crystalline state.