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Chapter 22: Problem 30

A friend tells you that the "neon" in neon signs is a compound of neon and aluminum. Can your friend be correct? Explain.

Short Answer

Expert verified
No, your friend is incorrect. Neon is a noble gas with a stable electron configuration and does not form compounds with other elements, including aluminum. Aluminum, being a reactive metal, tends to form compounds with non-metals that can accept electrons, but not with noble gases like neon.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the elements neon and aluminum.

Neon is a noble gas with the chemical symbol Ne and an atomic number of 10. Noble gases are known for their low reactivity due to their full valence electron shells. They rarely form compounds with other elements. Aluminum is a metal with the chemical symbol Al and an atomic number of 13. Its valence electron shell contains 3 electrons, which means it can lose 3 electrons to form a 3+ cation.
02

Examine the position of neon and aluminum on the periodic table.

Neon is found in Group 18 (VIII A) of the periodic table, which includes all noble gases. As mentioned earlier, noble gases are characterized by their low reactivity and stable electron configurations. Aluminum, on the other hand, is found in Group 13 (III A) of the periodic table. Elements in this group are known to be reactive and can easily form compounds with other elements, especially non-metals.
03

Consider the bonding tendencies of neon and aluminum.

Since neon is a noble gas with a full valence electron shell, it does not have a tendency to form chemical bonds with other elements. This is because neon already has a stable electron configuration and does not need to gain, lose, or share electrons with other elements to achieve stability. Aluminum is a metal that can lose its 3 valence electrons to form a 3+ cation. It has a tendency to form ionic bonds with non-metals that can accept electrons, such as oxygen or chlorine, to achieve a stable electron configuration.
04

Determine if a compound can be formed between neon and aluminum.

Based on the information above, we can conclude that neon, being a noble gas with a stable electron configuration, does not form compounds with other elements, including aluminum. Therefore, your friend's claim that the "neon" in neon signs is a compound of neon and aluminum is incorrect.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Hydrogen peroxide is capable of oxidizing (a) hydrazine to \(\mathrm{N}_{2}\) and \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O},(\mathbf{b}) \mathrm{SO}_{2}\) to \(\mathrm{SO}_{4}^{2-},(\mathbf{c}) \mathrm{NO}_{2}^{-}\) to \(\mathrm{NO}_{3}^{-},(\mathbf{d}) \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{~S}(g)\) to \(\mathrm{S}(s),(\mathbf{e}) \mathrm{Fe}^{2+}\) to \(\mathrm{Fe}^{3+}\). Write a balanced net ionic equation for each of these redox reactions.

Write complete balanced half-reactions for (a) oxidation of nitrous acid to nitrate ion in acidic solution, (b) oxidation of \(\mathrm{N}_{2}\) to \(\mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{O}\) in acidic solution.

(a) Determine the number of calcium ions in the chemical formula of the mineral hardystonite, $\mathrm{Ca}_{x} \mathrm{Zn}\left(\mathrm{Si}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{7}\right)$. (b) Determine the number of hydroxide ions in the chemical formula of the mineral pyrophyllite, $\mathrm{Al}_{2}\left(\mathrm{Si}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{5}\right)_{2}(\mathrm{OH})_{x}$.

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Write a balanced equation for the reaction of each of the following compounds with water: (a) \(\mathrm{PCl}_{5}(s),\) (b) \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}(g)\) (c) \(\mathrm{K}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{2}(s)\) (d) \(\mathrm{Mg}_{3} \mathrm{P}_{2}(s)\) (e) \(\operatorname{LiAlH}_{4}(s)\) (f) \(\mathrm{Cl}_{2} \mathrm{O}(g)\) (g) \(\mathrm{NO}_{2}(g)\)
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