Atomic and Molecular Structure

Argon – Definition and Uses of Argon

Argon

If somebody asks you to name the three utmost abundant gases in Earth’s atmosphere, then you might choose, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. It’s a well-known fact that behind nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2), the third-most abundant gas is the noble gas argon. It is just under 1 per cent of the atmosphere’s invisible composition.  In this lesson, we will look at argon definition and its uses .

argon

Definition of Argon

It is a colorless odorless inert gaseous element found in the air. And in volcanic gases and commonly used especially in welding, lasers, and electric bulbs.

History

It is plentiful in the Earth’s atmosphere. When Lord Rayleigh and William Ramsay first parted it from liquid air. In fact, Henry Cavendish had isolated this gas in 1785. Because they had observed that about 1% of air would not react even under the most extreme situations.

That 1% was Argon. Ramsay separated all the nitrogen from the gas. He found a gas that would not react. When he tested its spectrum he saw new groups of red and green lines, confirming that it was a new element.

Physical Properties of Argon

It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas. Its density is 1.784 grams per liter. The mass of air, for contrast, is about 1.29 grams per liter. Its variations from a gas to a liquid at -185.86°C. Then it vagaries from a liquid to a solid at -189.3°C

Chemical Properties of Argon

It is chemically inactive. On rare circumstances, and under extreme situations, it forms weak, compound-like structures

Occurrence in Nature

The copiousness of argon in the atmosphere is about 0.93 %. It is also found in the Earth’s crust up to 4 parts per million.

Extraction

It can be produced from the liquid air by fractional distillation. It can also be produced by heating nitrogen gas from the atmosphere with hot magnesium or calcium.

The magnesium or calcium combines with nitrogen to form a nitride. A little argon always occurs as an impurity with nitrogen. It also occurs in wells with natural gas.

Isotopes

Three isotopes of argon present naturally. They are such as argon-36, argon-38, and argon-40. Isotopes are two and more forms of an element. Isotopes vary from each other according to their mass number.

Uses of Argon

1.Neon Lights

Noble gases are handy for creating Neon lights. With neon and krypton is commonly used for this purpose. When we pass electricity through this gas, it temporarily excites the outermost orbiting electrons.

It causes them to briefly jump to a higher “shell,” and energy level. When the electron then returns to its adapted energy level, it releases a photon – a massless packet of light.

2. Radioisotope Dating

It can be useful along with potassium, and K. This is known as Potassium-argon dating. This is the tactic of determining the time of origin of rocks by determination of the ratio of radioactive argon to radioactive potassium in the rock.

Moreover, this dating method is founded upon the decay of radioactive potassium-40 to radioactive argon-40 in minerals and rocks; potassium-40 also decays to calcium-40

3. Shield Gas in Welding

We also use it for the purpose of welding of specialty alloys. And in the welding of automobile frames, mufflers and different automotive parts. It is called a shielding gas as it does not react with any kind gases and metal.

It only takes up space and prevents other, undesirable reactions from going on nearby owing to reactive gases such as nitrogen and oxygen.

4. Heat Treating

As an inert gas, we can use it can to give oxygen- and nitrogen-free setting for heat-treating procedures.

5. 3-D Printing

It is useful in the burgeoning field of three-dimensional printing. While the rapid heating and cooling of the printing material, the gas will check oxidation of the metal and other reactions. Also, it can limit the stress effect. We can also mix it with other gases to make speciality blends as per the requirement.

6. Metal Production

Same as its role in welding, it can be used in the synthesis of metals through other methods. As it checks oxidation (rusting) and displaces undesirable gases such as carbon monoxide.

Solved Questions for You

Q.1.What is the boiling point of Argon?

Ans: The boiling point is -185.8 °C.

Q.2.Why it’s the boiling point so low?

Ans: As there is a weak interface between atoms of the noble gases. It leaves a low boiling point for them. Besides, an essential point to note is that the intermolecular forces rise with atomic size. That’s why helium has a lower boiling compare to neon, followed by argon, and so on.

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