Argon

Argon, Ar, is a Nobel Gas element, found in Group 0 of the periodic table. Its atomic number is 18, and its relative atomic mass is 39.95.

Atomic Number : 18
Relative Atomic Mass : 39.95

Discovery

Argon, Ar, was isolated by Sir William Ramsey in 1894AD from air, from which the major components (i.e. Oxygen, Nitrogen, Carbon Dioxide, and Water Vapour) had been removed.

Occurrence

Argon is present in the atmosphere, and accounts for 0.94% of its composition.

Extraction

Argon, Ar, is extracted from liquefied air by fractional distillation.

Properties

Argon is a colourless, tasteless, odourless, inert gas.
Argon is very inert chemically due to its electronic configuration.
Argon can exist in charged ion molecules (e.g. ArKr+) which have been observed spectroscopically.

Extraction

Uses

Actinium is used as a source of Neutrons.

Uses

Argon is used primarily for electrical uses :

in discharge tubes used for advertising purposes,
as a filler gas in electric lamps, and
to create a plasma in argon arc welding.

Detection and Analysis

Argon is detected by spectroscopic methods.

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