Neon atom in 3D
Light from excited atoms. Neon produces a characteristic red-orange glow in electrical discharge tubes. Explore the 3D model, inspect its parts and learn with guided explanations. Free on Atlas.
What you can learn
Light from excited atoms. Neon produces a characteristic red-orange glow in electrical discharge tubes.
Identify neon from its proton count.
Count the neutrons in Neon-20.
Inspect the occupied electron shells.
Compare the valence shell with a neighbouring element.
Explain what changes when an electron is lost.
Light emission involves changes in electronic energy. The colours on this model only identify its parts.
Try an investigation
Identify neon from its proton count.
Check your understanding
What identifies an atom as neon?
10 protons. Atomic number is proton count. Every neon nucleus has 10 protons.
How many neutrons are in Neon-20?
10. Neutrons = mass number − atomic number = 20 − 10 = 10. Mass number is not the average atomic weight of natural samples.
How many electrons are in a neutral neon atom?
10. A neutral atom balances 10 positive protons with 10 negative electrons.
Which shell count describes neutral neon in its ground state?
2, 8. [He] 2s² 2p⁶ gives 2, 8 electrons across its occupied shells. Circular paths are only diagram guides.
If this atom loses one electron, what happens to its net charge?
It becomes +1. Losing one negative electron leaves one more proton than electrons. Its 10 protons still identify it as neon.
What can this 3D shell model tell you reliably?
The particle counts for the selected neutral isotope. The counts represent a defined isotope and neutral atom. Particle sizes, spacing and circles are simplified teaching symbols.
Sources and model scope
An educational representation. The explorer identifies its data sources, scale choices and simplifications.