When we think of neon light, we generally picture the bright, glowing tubes of glass filled with rarefied gases. But what is a neon light and how does it differ from Xenon or Argon? Essentially, a neon light is a cold cathode gas-discharge light. Neon tubes are glass tubes that have metal electrodes at each end. The gases inside are usually hydrogen or argon, which are low-pressure gases that emit light at high temperatures.
Argon
The benefits of Argon neon light are numerous. It uses the least amount of energy of any of the other gases. It is very resistant to corrosion and is safe to use for lighting. Its light is similar to a natural light. However, the color and brightness of the light depends on the type of gas used. Argon is the most popular gas for neon light bulbs. Here are some reasons why you should use it in your sign:
Xenon
Xenon is a noble gas and a common component of many light bulbs, neon signs, and more. Its chemical properties are relatively stable, and its limited mass and low boiling point makes it a viable choice for use in a variety of applications. Neon and argon are two of the most widely used in industrial settings. Both gases are also used in the production of ammonia and in the filling of incandescent light bulbs.
Argon-2
Argon is an inert gas that is often used with Mercury to illuminate signs in sealed glass tubing. This gas produces colors that are brighter than red. This gas also emits ultraviolet light. These lights are known as neon lights. The colors produced by these lights depend on the mixture of gases used inside the tube. For example, argon and Mercury will produce a red neon light whereas krypton and zenon will produce blue and green lights, respectively.
Argon-3
An Argon-3 neon light can be described as a colorless, blue light that emits static electricity. The actual color and intensity of the light will depend on the type of glass used in the tube. In 1894, a group of scientists led by Lord Rayleigh and Sir William Ramsay isolated argon from atmospheric air. They performed experiments that replicated Henry Cavendish’s experiments by trapping atmospheric air upside-down over a dilute alkali solution and conveying a current through a U-shaped glass tube that was sealed around platinum wire electrodes.
Argon-4
Argon-4, also known as argon-4, is a colourless gas with an atomic number of 18. It is non-reactive and unreactive, making it the most commonly used gas in neon lights. This gas is the third most abundant in the atmosphere, after carbon dioxide and neon. Argon is the most common noble gas in space, where it forms more than 50 percent of the entire atmosphere. Its density increases with molecular mass, so it is not particularly heavy.
Argon-5
Argon is an inert, colorless gas. When excited by an electric field, it glows violet. Argon is often used in neon lights. This gas has many benefits, including lower energy consumption and a longer life. Argon is also used in fluorescent and incandescent lighting. It helps prevent the filament from rapidly oxidizing, which saves energy and money. The light produced by Argon is more colorful than other types of neon.
Argon-6
While Argon makes up just over 1% of the atmosphere, it is rarely used in light bulbs. The gas is inert and would burn out the filament of the bulb faster if it were filled with air or pure nitrogen. Other uses for argon include the production of blue light, food packaging, and lasers for eye surgery. Argon was discovered in 1894 and was named after the Greek word for idle, argon. Chemists later realized that argon was a member of an entire family of previously unrecognized elements.
Argon-7
The gas argon is used for various applications. It is often used in electric light bulbs and fluorescent tubes of about 400 Pa or less. It is also used as a blanket for titanium production and in inert gas shields during arc welding. It is also used as a protective atmosphere during the growth of silicon and germanium crystals. In fact, the gas is so common, it is used in more than one hundred different applications.
Argon-9
The Argon-9 neon light is a great option for indoor lighting, and is also known as a “solar-powered” lamp. Neon lights contain about 250 mg of mercury per bulb. Although the mercury is necessary for bulb efficiency, it is released into the environment through the burning of petroleum and from precious metal mining. It is toxic in higher concentrations, so it is important to educate consumers about the proper way to dispose of them.
Argon-12
Argon-filled fluorescent tubes are very popular for their energy efficiency and low cost. While argon is plentiful in the air, the light produced by an argon-filled lamp is fainter than that of a neon lamp. To make argon-filled tubes brighter, mercury is added. Mercury gives off ultraviolet light, so phosphors are coated with mercury. In colder climates, helium is added to the argon to speed up the lamp’s heating.