Who discovered Argon?

Sir William Ramsay and John William Strutt

Which of the following best describes Argon?

An inert, colorless, and odorless gas

What is the primary use of Argon in light bulbs?

To provide a protective inert atmosphere and prevent filament burning

What is the main purpose of using Argon in arc welding?

To provide a protective atmosphere for reactive metals

Why is Argon used in fire suppression systems?

To reduce the oxygen content and smother the flames

What important role does Argon play in medical research?

To help neurosurgeons study brain tumors and brain tissue

Argon

Q: What safety precautions should be taken when handling Argon?

Wearing protective clothing and avoiding inhalation of the gas.

by Yogi P - October 22, 2023

Argon: The Inert Gas

Argon is a chemical element found in the periodic table with the atomic number of 18 and the symbol Ar. It is an odourless, colourless and tasteless gas commonly found in air, and is classified as one of the noble gases.

Argon has some universally useful and versatile properties, and is essential in everyday life.

History and Discovery of Argon

Argon was discovered in 1894 by Scottish chemist Sir William Ramsay and English chemist John William Strutt, who identified it as part of the Earth’s atmosphere. They did this by fractioning liquid air in a series of evaporation stages.

Properties of Argon

Atomic number: 18
Symbol: Ar
Atomic mass: 39.948 amu
Melting point: -189.3 °C
Boiling point: -185.8 °C
Density: 1.784 g/L
Valence electrons: 2, 6

Argon is unique in many ways. It is very unreactive and doesn’t form any compounds, which makes it ideal for many applications. It is also the third most abundant gas in the Earth’s atmosphere, making up around 0.94% of the air we breathe.

Uses of Argon

Lighting: Argon is used in many types of light bulbs (incandescent, low-pressure sodium and fluorescent lamps) to provide a protective inert atmosphere in the bulb and to stop the reaction of the other components from evaporating. It prevents the tungsten filaments from burning out.
Welding: Argon(Ar) is used as a shielding gas in arc welding, where it provides a protective atmosphere for the reactive metals so that they don’t react and burn up.
Fire Suppression: Argon(Ar) is also used as a fire suppression gas in both residential and commercial fire suppression systems. It works by reducing the oxygen content of the air through displace — causing the flame to be smothered.
Fertilizer and Steel Industries: Argon(Ar) is added to fertilizer to help preserve nitrogen, while it is also used in the steel industry to harden steel and to prevent corrosion.
Medical Research: Argon(Ar) is used in brain imaging and research, as it helps neurosurgeons study brain tumors and identify areas of brain tissue that need to be cut or manipulated.

Safety Precautions

Despite its inert nature, Argon still has certain safety precautions that need to be taken in order to ensure safe handling and storage.

Argon is a classified as a hazardous chemical by OSHA, and although these regulations do not require specific safety measures to be taken, it is important to take the necessary precautions when dealing with Argon(Ar).

These include storing Argon away from other combustible materials, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding inhalation of the gas.

Conclusion

Argon is a vital component of everyday life, and its presence in the Earth’s atmosphere is of fundamental importance for sustaining life. Its inert nature and versatility make Argon one of the most widely used gases in the world.

Its presence in many industries, and its role in medical research, has made it a boon for human progress as well.