Krypton is a gas that helps to form part of the periodic table. In its gas form it is odourless, colourless and tasteless, therefore making it very hard to detect. When frozen it becomes a crystallised white substance. It has the chemical symbol of Kr and the atomic number 36.
Krypton is often described as an inert gas in that it has no or little purpose in that it is not relied upon for life, nor is it a material that can be widely used for practical purposes. Small traces of krypton are found in the earth's atmosphere. The most common use for krypton is in fluorescent lamps. When the gas is used in lamps it is mixed with other gasses to emit a yellowish-greenish glow. It is often used to make neon lighting, mixing to varying degrees with other gasses to change the colour of each neon light.
In its purest form krypton will glow a brilliant white colour when light is shone through it and therefore it is great for use in some cameras as a flash for photography. It is used by photographers in bulbs too as its brilliant colour brings photos out well. Another use for krypton is in lasers, specifically scientific lasers such as the krypton-fluoride laser, used mainly for nuclear energy research.
Krypton is non-toxic and therefore a harmless gas in small quantities. It also does not emit any radiation. It is, however, an asphyxiate meaning that in greater quantities it could displace oxygen in the atmosphere, therefore depriving the body of oxygen leading to unconsciousness or even death. However this is very rare and would take extraordinarily large quantities or a large amount in a very small space for this to be true.
Krypton is often described as an inert gas in that it has no or little purpose in that it is not relied upon for life, nor is it a material that can be widely used for practical purposes. Small traces of krypton are found in the earth's atmosphere. The most common use for krypton is in fluorescent lamps. When the gas is used in lamps it is mixed with other gasses to emit a yellowish-greenish glow. It is often used to make neon lighting, mixing to varying degrees with other gasses to change the colour of each neon light.
In its purest form krypton will glow a brilliant white colour when light is shone through it and therefore it is great for use in some cameras as a flash for photography. It is used by photographers in bulbs too as its brilliant colour brings photos out well. Another use for krypton is in lasers, specifically scientific lasers such as the krypton-fluoride laser, used mainly for nuclear energy research.
Krypton is non-toxic and therefore a harmless gas in small quantities. It also does not emit any radiation. It is, however, an asphyxiate meaning that in greater quantities it could displace oxygen in the atmosphere, therefore depriving the body of oxygen leading to unconsciousness or even death. However this is very rare and would take extraordinarily large quantities or a large amount in a very small space for this to be true.
