Which gaseous chemical element glows reddish orange when an electric charge passes through it?

When an electric charge passes through certain gases, they emit light, and one element is particularly famous for its brilliant reddish-orange display. This vibrant glow is characteristic of a noble gas whose name, derived from the Greek word "neos," means "new." It's a fascinating example of how atomic structure dictates the light we see.

The distinctive reddish-orange light emitted by this element occurs because of a process called atomic excitation. When electricity, in the form of a high-voltage current, passes through a tube filled with this gas, it energizes the electrons within its atoms. These energized electrons jump to higher energy levels. However, they quickly fall back to their original, lower energy states, releasing the excess energy as photons of light. The specific wavelengths of light emitted determine the color we perceive, and for this particular gas, those wavelengths combine to create its signature reddish-orange hue.

Discovered in 1898 by British chemists Sir William Ramsay and Morris Travers, this element was the second of the noble gases to be identified. Its most well-known application is in the iconic "neon" signs that illuminate cityscapes worldwide. While many colorful "neon" signs actually use other gases or colored glass to achieve different shades, the pure element itself is responsible for that unmistakable reddish-orange. Beyond signage, it also finds use in some lasers and as a cryogenic refrigerant due to its extremely low boiling point.