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krypton

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Secondary Information

Definition

Krypton is a chemical element with the symbol Kr and atomic number 36. It is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless noble gas that is found in the Earth's atmosphere at a concentration of about 1.14 parts per million. Krypton is the third lightest noble gas, after helium and neon.

Krypton is a very inert gas, meaning that it does not react with other elements easily. This makes it useful in a variety of applications, including:

  • Lighting: Krypton is used in some types of fluorescent lamps and arc lamps. The light produced by krypton lamps is very white and bright.
  • Medical imaging: Krypton is used in some types of medical imaging procedures, such as computed tomography (CT) scans. The krypton gas is used to fill the CT scanner, and it helps to produce clear images of the inside of the body.
  • Lasers: Krypton is used in some types of lasers. The krypton gas is excited by electricity, and it produces a bright, coherent light beam.
  • Spacecraft: Krypton is used in some types of spacecraft. The krypton gas is used to pressurize the spacecraft and to provide fuel for the thrusters.

Krypton is a relatively rare element, but it is still relatively abundant in the Earth's atmosphere. It is also relatively inexpensive, making it a cost-effective option for a variety of applications.

How can the word be used?

Krypton gas is used in some types of lasers, such as krypton-ion lasers and krypton-fluoride lasers.

krypton

Different forms of the word

Noun: Krypton is a chemical element with the symbol Kr and atomic number 36. It is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless noble gas that is found in trace amounts in the Earth's atmosphere.

Adjective: Kryptonic is an adjective that describes something that is related to krypton. For example, a krypton lamp is a type of lamp that uses krypton gas as its light source.

Verb: To kryptonize is to expose something to krypton gas. This is sometimes done to improve the properties of a material, such as its strength or transparency.

Adverb: Kryptonically is an adverb that describes something that is done using krypton gas. For example, a krypton laser is a type of laser that uses krypton gas as its lasing medium.

Etymology

The word "krypton" comes from the Greek word "κρυπτός" (kryptos), which means "hidden". This is because krypton was the first noble gas to be discovered, and it was not known to exist until it was isolated from air in 1898 by Sir William Ramsay and Morris Travers.

The name "krypton" was chosen because it was thought to be a fitting name for a gas that was so difficult to find. The Greek word "κρυπτός" also has the meaning of "inaccessible" or "secret", which is another way of describing krypton.

Question

What is krypton?

AQA Science Exam Question and Answer

Question:

Explain the properties and applications of krypton as a noble gas. How does krypton contribute to various technological and scientific fields?

Answer:

Krypton, a noble gas, possesses unique properties that make it valuable in various applications. With an atomic number of 36 and a full complement of electrons in its outermost energy level, krypton is chemically inert and stable, making it part of the noble gas family.

One of Krypton's primary applications is in lighting. When electrically charged, krypton emits a distinctive and bright white light. This property has led to its use in specialised lighting sources like fluorescent lamps and photographic flashes, where its stable light emission is desired.

Furthermore, krypton plays a pivotal role in laser technology. It is used in gas lasers, particularly in excimer lasers used for medical procedures, lithography, and scientific research. Krypton's specific spectral lines are harnessed to generate precise laser beams.

In the field of cryogenics, krypton is employed for its cooling capabilities. Krypton refrigeration is used to achieve ultra-low temperatures, essential for various scientific experiments and research.

Krypton-85, a radioactive isotope of krypton, is employed in the field of dating groundwater and in detecting leaks in sealed containers.

In sum, krypton's unique properties, including its stability, light emission, and cooling abilities, make it a valuable asset in multiple scientific and technological domains. Its applications range from lighting and lasers to cryogenics and environmental monitoring, contributing significantly to advancements in various fields.