October 31 - November 3, 2004
Element of the Day
Saturday, October 9
Radon is a decay product of
the radium salts. At ordinary temperatures radon is a colorless gas. When cooled
below the freezing point, radon exhibits brilliant phosphorescence. Recently,
radon buildup in homes from the surrounding soil and rocks has become a safety
issue and some areas around the world test homes for radon gas. It is the
heaviest known gas. Radon is present in some spring waters.Standard state: gas
at 298 K (the heaviest known mononuclear gas at 298 K). Color: colorless.
Classification: Non-metallic.