ARGON, Ar

SARAH BLOOD, UK

Neon signs are iconic, but the gas creating that familiar bright glow is not always neon. In this case, it is another noble gas – argon. The glass tubes of this sign are filled with argon which, when excited by an electric current, ionises and emits a dazzling blue light; unlike neon, which emits a fiery red light. In fact, all the noble gases, including helium, argon, krypton and xenon, emit light when placed in an electrical discharge. Neon light is red, while the other elements give other distinctive colours. Ultimately, the colour of the sign depends on the colour of the glass tubes.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

THINK THIS IS A NEON SIGN? THINK AGAIN!