54
Xe
Noble gas

Xenon

Atomic number 54 · Period 5 · Block P

Xe · Xenon
Mendeleev.com

Understanding the element

Xenon (Xe) is chemical element 54. It belongs to the noble gases, and its reference state at room temperature is a gas. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Where do we encounter it?

In practice, it turns up most often in lighting, medical imaging equipment and ion propulsion.

lightingmedical imaging equipmention propulsion
Standard atomic weight131.293(6)

What its position in the table tells us

Xenon sits in period 5, group 18 and the P block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.

Worth remembering
Xenon has a characteristic place in the periodic table that helps explain both its chemistry and its practical uses

Scientific sources

Element identity
Atomic number54
Group18
Period5
BlockP
CategoryNoble gas
PhaseGas