Radon is a Block P, Group 18, Period 6 element. The number of electrons in each of Radon‘s shells is 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 8 and its electronic configuration is [Xe] 4f145d106s26p6. In its elemental form radon‘s CAS number is 10043-92-2. The radon atom has a radius of 240.pm and it‘s Van der Waals radius is 200.pm. Radon is highly radioactive and a carcinogen.
Radon is produced by the radioactive decay of radium-226, which is found in phosphate, igneous and metamorphic rocks as well as uranium ores and shales. Radon was discovered by Friedrich Ernst Dorn (Germany) in 1900.
The origin of Radon is derived from the name of the element radium. At first Radon was called Niton, from the Latin word ‘Nitens’ which means shining.
Radon Abundance. The following table shows the abundance of radon and each of its naturally occurring isotopes on Earth along with the atomic mass for each isotope.
Isotope
|
Atomic Mass
|
% Abundance on Earth
|
Rn-211
|
210.990585
|
-
|
Rn-222
|
222.017570
|
-
|
Radon Safety Data. The safety data for radon metal, nanoparticles and its compounds can vary widely depending on the form. For potential hazard information, toxicity, and road, sea and air transportation limitations, such as DOT Hazard Class, DOT Number, EU Number, NFPA Health rating and RTECS Class, please see the specific material or compound referenced in the left margin. Radon compoundshave no biological role.
Ionization Energy. The ionization energy for radon (the least required energy to release a single electron from the atom in it‘s ground state in the gas phase) is stated in the following table:
1st Ionization Energy
|
1037.08 kJ mol-1
|
2nd Ionization Energy
|
- kJ mol-1
|
3rd Ionization Energy
|
- kJ mol-1
|
Conductivity. As to radon‘s electrical and thermal conductivity, the electrical conductivity measured in terms of electrical resistivity @ 20 ?C is - ?Ocm and its electronegativities (or its ability to draw electrons relative to other elements) is -. The thermal conductivity of radon is 0.0036 W m-1 K-1.
Thermal Properties of Radon. The melting point and boiling point for radon are stated below. The following chart sets forth the heat of fusion, heat of vaporization and heat of atomization.
Heat of Fusion
|
2.7 kJ mol-1
|
Heat of Vaporization
|
18.1 kJ mol-1
|
Heat of Atomization
|
0 kJ mol-1
|
|
|
Formula
|
Atomic Number
|
Molecular Weight
|
Electronegativity (Pauling)
|
Density
|
Melting Point
|
Boiling Point
|
Vanderwaals radius
|
Ionic radius
|
Energy of first ionization
|
Rn
|
86
|
(222) g.mol -1
|
-
|
9.73 g.cm-3
|
-71.15 °C
|
-61.85 °C
|
.200 nm
|
240 pm
|
1037.08 kJ.mol-1
|
|