氮
Xenon (element)
Strokes12
Readings
On'yomi
- タン
Kun'yomi
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Meaning
氮 is a rare kanji used specifically for the chemical element xenon. It has no broader conceptual center beyond this single technical meaning.
Study
Etymology
氮 is a modern coined character for the element xenon, combining the gas radical 气 with the phonetic component 炎 (タン). The historical development is straightforward and recent.
Meaning mnemonic
The outer enclosure 气 indicates a gas, and the inner 炎 suggests a connection to the reading タン. Together they point to the specific gas xenon.
Reading mnemonic
For タン, imagine a tank filled with xenon gas: tank -> タン, and the gas is contained within the 气 enclosure.