Natural neon is a mixture of three stable isotopes: neon-20, neon-21, and neon-22.
Here's a breakdown of the isotopic composition of natural neon:
- Neon-20: Comprises approximately 90.92% of naturally occurring neon.
- Neon-21: A much smaller component, accounting for about 0.26%.
- Neon-22: Makes up roughly 8.82% of natural neon.
Neon holds historical significance in the field of isotope research as it was the first element discovered to have more than one stable isotope. This discovery, made in 1913 through mass spectrometry, identified both neon-20 and neon-22.
In summary, natural neon is not a single element but a blend of three stable isotopes, primarily neon-20, followed by neon-22, and a trace amount of neon-21.
