Tuesday, April 19, 2011

The Noble Gas of Neon and it's Natural Abundance


ABC Wednesday is a word meme with participants from around the world. This fabulous meme was created and hosted by Mrs. Denise Nesbitt who hails from Great Britain. Over time, others have joined in to help host this wonderful and informative meme. We are now in our EIGHTH round! Some of the participants have been with this from the very first round; others have joined in along the way. Each week we are taken across the globe to see the varied and exciting contributions people have taken the time to discover and capture. We start with the letter, "A" and each week we post something in regards to the next letter of the alphabet. This week's letter is, "N".


NEONS




Neon signs-if you live in any kind of urban environment, these are everywhere. So much so that we hardly give them a thought. Personally, I think that often they take on an art form of their own.
OK, so you might care if neon is the second most lightest inert gas. It is one of the six noble gases: they are all odorless, colorless, monatomic gases, with very low chemical reactivity. The six noble gases that occur naturally are helium (He), neon (Ne), argon (Ar), krypton (Kr), xenon (Xe), and the radioactive radon (Rn) (from Wikipedia). It is also the second lightest noble gas right after helium.
Neon signs that actually use the noble gas of neon are the ones that are reddish orange. The other colors are obtained from other gases and fluorescent. However, we all refer to this genre of signs as neon signs. At any rate, I love them!



Sylvia might recognize many of these signs as I took them when I was in Seattle in 2007. You can always find lots of neon signs in downtown anywhere.



I love this one.



If you can't find the restrooms with THIS sign, then you are outta luck!  ; )




Fresh fish doesn't get any fresher at Pike's Fish Market




If you're seeing double, then perhaps it's time for a checkup!



Hungry??






And when you pick up your lunch, you might want a Kirin 
to wash it down with (well,not me, but maybe you!).




SMILE!!!!
 This one was taken in Port Townsend as was the first one called "Sirens"



And, as we head into Easter week, I thought this one was a 
good one to end this series of illumination with!






16 comments:

Anonymous said...

You have some very nice neon signs! Love them all.

Sylvia K said...

There are lots of strange and pretty neon signs these days, aren't there? You've captured a great variety! Terrific post for the N Day, Paula, as always! Enjoy your day!

Sylvia
ABC Team

Wanda said...

I remember seeing my first Neon sign. Wow, you have given us quite a collection.

I must say, being Holy Week I really do relate to the last one. Thanks for sharing that one too.

Roger Owen Green said...

Love neon. And always liked the NOTION of a NOBLE gas; very polite, I took it to mean, though, in fact they really don't play well with others.

ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Kay L. Davies said...

Aren't they wonderful? In the 70s I had a friend who made sculptures using tubes of gas.
I had to look up "noble gases" because I never knew what it meant, even though I have heard the term before. I still don't really understand them, but I have an inkling of what it means.
A super post for N day, Paula.
-- K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Leslie: said...

ALL fabulous neon signs! I'm hoping to head down to Seattle for a few days this summer with my daughter. I'll have to check out some of these signs. By the way, as I was tutoring a student the other day, I learned all about argon and how it is what replaces the air (oxygen) in a light bulb so that the bulb will shine. Cool, huh?

Leslie
abcw team

EG CameraGirl said...

Wowza! You showed us quite a few neon signs. NEAT collection of photos.

raf said...

Thought I recognized that Sirens sign, Molokai Girl. Excellent post for N today!

Christine said...

Love neon signs, always have. Great pictures to go with N today.

Meryl said...

I loved this post and how you blogged "N". I never think of neon and the signs much, but I agree with you...I think they are an artform as well.

Great post.

Tumblewords: said...

Great post - Neon signs are high on my list of magical things. :) Several of my male relatives have them hanging in garages or basement pool rooms. What fun. I recognize the Fresh fish from Pike Street.

Reader Wil said...

Interesting series! Now I see why you call it an artform! Some of them are really very beautiful too!
Thanks for sharing.

Bradley Hsi said...

Thanks for sharing the Neon signs. We were at New Mexico three years ago and went out to photographed the neon sighs on Rt. 66.

Kate said...

What a terrific collection of neon lights. Yup, can't miss them!

Carver said...

Wonderful selection of neon signs and interesting post.

Joy said...

I do love neon sign, we have very few where I live. Although thinking about it Tracy Emin did one for Liverpool cathedral, quite effective.

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