Noble Gases (Ar, Ne, Kr, Xe)
Neon, argon, krypton and xenon: We investigate their uses, from the blinding light of the arc welder's torch to the dying trade of the neon sign-making.
Neon, argon, krypton and xenon: Laurence Knight investigates their uses, from the blinding light of the arc welder's torch to the dying trade of the neon sign-making.
Professor Andrea Sella explains how an alumnus of his home University College London - Scottish chemist Sir William Ramsay - uncovered an entire column of the periodic table containing all of these unreactive gases.
Neon sign-maker Graham Cox shows how to bring colour and light to the dingiest of corners, while neon artist Marcus Bracey welcomes us to his gallery, God's Own Junkyard, where he insists the future for these gaseous elements remains bright.
(Picture: βFind Love Upstairsβ artwork by Chris Bracey at the Godβs Own Junkyard neon art gallery)
Podcast
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Elements
Chemical elements: where do we get them and how do they fit into our economy?
