Radon Facts for Kids

The Periodic Table - Radon
  • Name: Radon
  • Symbol: Rn
  • Atomic Number: 86
  • Atomic Weight: 222 u
  • Period: 6
  • Group: 18 (noble gases)

23 Radon Facts for Kids

  1. Radon is a chemical element on the periodic table.
  2. Radon is a radioactive noble gas that is odorless, tasteless and colorless.
  3. Radon was discovered in 1889 by New Zealand-born British physicist Ernest Rutherford and U.S. electrical engineer Robert B. Owens at McGill University in Montreal, Canada.
  4. Radon was first isolated in 1909 by Scottish chemist William Ramsay and English chemist Robert Whytlaw-Gray.
  5. Radon was the 5th radioactive element to be discovered on the periodic table.
  6. The symbol for radon is Rn.
  7. The atomic number for radon is 86.
  8. The standard atomic weight of radon is 222 u.
  9. Radon us a gas at room temperature.
  10. Radon is in the noble gas element category on the periodic table.
  11. Radon is a period 6 chemical element, which is the sixth row on the periodic table.
  12. Radon is a group 18 chemical element, which is the noble gases group.
  13. Radon is the heaviest noble gas on the periodic table.
  14. Radon is in the p-block on the periodic table.
  15. The electron configuration for radon is [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p6.
  16. The electrons per shell for radon are 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 8.
  17. Radon has no stable isotopes.
  18. The main isotopes of radon are 210Rn, 211Rn, 222Rn and 224Rn.
  19. The melting point of radon is -96 °F (-71 °C).
  20. The boiling point of radon is -79.1 °F (61.7 °C).
  21. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and the second leading cause of all lung cancer cases.
  22. Homes and businesses can be tested for radon and if elevated levels are detected radon migration systems and/or other methods can be used to decrease the levels of radon.
  23. There are four types of radon mitigation systems and they are active suction, passive suction, pressure system and sub-membrane. Research each one if you’re considering a radon mitigation system, they vary in cost and certain ones need to be put into your home during construction.

Additional Resources on Radon

  • Radon (Rn) – Discover more about the chemical element radon on the Los Alamos National Laboratory website.
  • Radon for Kids – Find more information about the chemical element radon for kids on the Britannica Kids website.
  • Radon and Your Health – Learn about the benefits and/or risks of radon to your health on the National Institute of Health website.
  • Radon – PubChem – Read more about radon and the data behind it on the NIH PubChem website.