h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

But Neon and Argon are not molecular so strictly speaking there are no molecules in Neon gas - it is composed of unbound atoms as are all the noble gases, Helium, Neon, Argon, Krypton, Xenon and Radon. Mercury gas has Hg2 molecules though so that's OK.

Not that it really matters here

Nice entry anyhow

Ouch, where were you when this was going through Peer Review ?
Could have saved me from this mistake. Thanks for pointing it out, though.

Glad you liked the rest.

JAIB

Sorry, missed its trip through PR I'm afraid.

Hey, don't worry about it, only pedantic chemists like myself will even notice

I liked it because I didn't know before how it was all done. Now I do. That, after all, is the purpose.



Orcus

Well, what would become of H2G2 if it weren't for pedantic chemists (and other knowledgeable folks) ?

Thanks again,

JAIB

Can you indicate which parts I should change and I'll do it straight away?

I think if a footnote is added after the molecules link to the effect of "It should be noted that generally gases are made up of molecules but strictly speaking pure argon and neon are not molecular but consist of free atoms.", then that would suffice Or words to that effect anyway.

Orcus

Hi Ashley, thanks for noticing so quickly.

I would agree with Orcus, otherwise you would lose that nice "molecules" link . It will probably be easier for people to comprehend the concept of colliding molecules without getting into "atoms only" noble gases right away.

Thanks again ,

JAIB

Hey Guys,

I've added that footnote - the more info the better.

Ashley

Thanks !

What I wanted to say earlier (but forgot) is that I would prefer it to be as "pure argon and neon - as all the noble gases - are not molecular ..." to prevent anyone from getting the idea that this exception is just limited to AR and NE.



JAIB