JAMB Chemistry 2010 Paper

Concept:Neon is a noble gas whose red-orange glow has very high penetrating power, making it ideal for aerodrome beacon lights.Explanation:Neon ($\mathrm{Ne}$) belongs to Group 18 (noble gases) of the periodic table.When an electric current is passed through neon gas, it produces a bright red-orange light.This light has a long wavelength, which allows it to penetrate fog, mist, and harsh weather conditions effectively.Due to this property, neon discharge tubes are installed in aerodrome beacons and other navigational warning lights.These beacons help pilots and sailors identify locations safely even during low visibility.Although argon ($\mathrm{Ar}$), helium ($\mathrm{He}$), and krypton ($\mathrm{Kr}$) are also noble gases, they do not offer the same brightness and fog-penetrating ability as neon.Hence, neon lights are preferred for airport runways and airway markers.Answer:D. neon