Argon is a colorless, odorless, and flavorless element.Argon was first discovered in 1894 by Lord Rayleigh and Sir William Ramsay when they isolated the element from the air. Argon has the atomic number 18 and follows Chlorine, which has the atomic number 17.Argon is ranked 12th among chemical elements that are abundant on a cosmic level, and the element makes up around 0.934% by volume and 1.288% of Earth’s atmosphere by weight. It is found obstructed in rocks. Argon is also used in industrial sectors as an inert atmosphere for arc-welding metals like stainless steel and aluminum. It is also used to manufacture and produce metals such as uranium, zirconium, and titanium.Argon is also used for growing crystals of semiconductors like germanium and silicon. Argon is 24 times as common in the atmosphere and around 500 times more common than neon, compared to carbon dioxide.If you like this article about argon facts, be sure to check out articles about aluminum facts and copper facts too!Argon Classification In Periodic TableArgon is classified as a noble gas on the periodic table and is one of the most frequently and abundantly used noble gases.The atomic mass of Argon is 39.948. The melting point of Argon is 83.81 K which is -308.81 F (−189.34 C), and the gas has an 83.81 K, which is -308.81 F (−189.34 C) boiling point. Argon is on the low side of thermal conductivity because the electron shells in the element are full. Argon comprises three electron shells, and the third shell comprises eight electrons.Argon Discovery DetailsArgon became the first noble gas discovered in 1894 by Sir William Ramsay and Lord Rayleigh. Argon was given the element symbol ‘A’ until 1957, when the element symbol was changed from A to Ar, and it is the atomic number 18 on the periodic table. Before its discovery in 1894, Henry Cavendish believed the possibility of the gas existing when he took samples of air in his examination in 1785.The inert gas ‘Argon’ comes from ‘Argos,’ a Greek word that translates to inactive or lazy. The name refers to the fact that argon gas is chemically inert at room pressure and temperature.Rayleigh and Ramsey officially found it when the element was isolated from air. Ramsey removed oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and water while the remaining gases were examined.Argon’s flavorless, colorless, and odorless properties are followed in solid and liquid forms. Argon is at least 38% denser than air, and it is often used to displace oxygen to prevent oxidation.Until 1957, the letter A was used as the Argon symbol. The symbol was changed to Ar by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC).Argon Chemical PropertiesThe element symbol of Argon is Ar, and it is attributed to the atomic number 18 on the periodic table. Argon takes on the gaseous form at room temperature.Argon gas is colorless, odorless, and flavorless. Exposure to Argon is non-lethal as the gas is not toxic at all. However, excessive inhalation of the gas causes asphyxiation or result in vomiting, nausea, dizziness, loss of consciousness, and in extreme cases, it can lead to death. Deaths are mostly a direct result of confusion or errors in judgment that can block the brain from reacting quickly enough to prevent any type of self-rescue operation.Like other noble gases, Argon is resistant to combination with other elements. This is often due to the relatively heavy gas, and unlike helium, Argon does not get lost to space like other noble gases.Argon is entirely stable and shows non-reactivity when exposed to other chemical substances at a high level. Argon gas displaces oxygen in confined areas because it is denser than air.36Ar, 38Ar, and 40Ar are three stable isotopes that make up natural Argon. There are a further 21 radioactive isotopes that range from 30Ar to 53Ar.Argon-36 contains 18 neutrons and is a stable isotope. Around 0.3336% of natural Argon is made up of argon-36.Argon-38 contains 20 neutrons and is yet another stable isotope. Argon-38 makes up about 0.0626% natural argon.Argon-40 contains 22 neutrons and is another stable isotope and makes up a large chunk of natural Argon at 99.6035%Argon-39 contains 21 neutrons, and it is a radioactive isotope. Cosmic radiations interact with atmospheric argon-40 form argon-39.Argon is known to be the most abundant noble gas. The gas makes up around 1.6% of Mars’ atmosphere and 0.94% of Earth’s atmosphere. Excluding water vapor, argon ranks as the third-most abundant gas found in the Earth’s atmosphere after nitrogen and oxygen. Argon is produced from the fractional filtration of liquid air.In Earth’s atmosphere, virtually all Argon is radiogenic - argon-40 (produced by radioactive decay). This is taken from the Earth’s crust which decays potassium-40. Argon-36 is known as the common argon isotope.When excited, Argon emits a beautiful blue-violet glow.Argon, to this day, has no ecological damage. This is due to the gas occurring naturally in the environment and does not constitute harmful elements that can cause ozone depletion.Because of the chemical elements that make up Argon, the gas is non-combustible. However, argon tanks might explode if they are surrounded by fire as the heat increases the pressure within the tank to take it to its boiling point.Argon Uses In Everyday LifeArgon gas is used in everyday commodities like light bulbs, welding shieldings, and other necessities to provide an inert environment for the gas to work correctly. Argon is relatively affordable as it costs 50 cents per 3.5 oz (100 g)!Since Argon is inert and forms no stable compounds under room temperature, it is used in industrial processes that demand a non-reactive atmosphere. Argon is also found in the dry suits of deep-sea divers as the atomic mass of Argon makes it a good insulator.Argon in its liquid form is used in many types of treatments. Cryosurgery uses liquid Argon to destroy tissues that are affected by cancer. Liquid Argon is also used in dark matter searches and neutrino experiments.Argon is used in the Neon signs that we often see. Argon gives off an eye-catching blue light when it is used alongside neon.Argon is used in medical lasers, mostly in ophthalmology, for correcting eye issues like glaucoma, retinal detachment, and blood vessel leakage.Argon, an inert gas, is often used in the food and drink sector. Argon is used in wine barrels to displace air as it settles above the liquid and protects it from oxidation and souring. The same applies to open liquid and wine bottles in restaurants and bars.Argon’s ability to displace oxygen in the atmosphere is one of the reasons why the element is used in fire-suppression systems around the world.Did You Know?Argon is heavier than air and sinks to the bottom of the lungs if it is inhaled. The gas displaces oxygen in the lungs which will eventually lead to suffocation or, at the very least, passing out.Along with Helium, Krypton, Xenon, Neon, Radon, and Oganesson, Argon makes up seven noble gases. In 1894, Hugo Erdmann, a German chemist, termed ’noble gas.’ The term was derived from ’noble metals’ used to describe non-reactive metals. The reason behind the inertness of the noble gases is due to the electron configurations present in them.In 1785, Henry Cavendish proposed that Argon exists in the atmosphere! Henry Cavendish was an influential theoretical and experimental physicist and chemist and is noted for his discovery of Hydrogen.The heads of heat-seeking missiles are cooled using Argon.Argon has been found in the atmospheres of Mercury and Titan (Saturn’s moon).Approximately 771 million tons of Argon are produced per year worldwide.Argon, being an inert gas, is used as the preservative in which the original United States Declaration of Independence is stored to protect it from decaying!Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created many interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! 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Argon is a colorless, odorless, and flavorless element.
