How Is Argon Different from Other Noble Gases?

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Argon is about four times more expensive than nitrogen because there is less of it in the air (79 percent of air is nitrogen, compared to 0.9 percent for argon). Argon is about 1.4 times denser than nitrogen. Argon can only be provided in tanks, whereas nitrogen can be supplied through in-house gas generation.

Is it bad to breathe argon gas?

Argon is nontoxic and largely inert. It can act as a simple asphyxiant by displacing the oxygen in air to levels below that required to support life. Inhalation of argon in excessive amounts can cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness, and death.

Which is the most unreactive gas?

Helium is a colorless, odorless, unreactive gas which liquefies at -268.97°C (4.18 K). The name “helium” is derived from the Greek word for the Sun, helios.

What is the history of argon?

Argon was discovered by Lord Rayleigh and Sir William Ramsay in 1894. It was isolated by examination of the residue obtained by removing nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water from clean air. In fact, air contains less than 1% argon.

How is argon used?

Uses of Argon Argon gas is used in graphite electric burners to prevent the graphite from burning. Crystals of silicon and germanium are grown in the presence of argon. Argon is used to kill pigs humanely if there is an outbreak of some disease on the farm. Occasionally, argon is used to put out fires when it is vital that equipment is not damaged.

How is argon gas made?

Argon can be produced from 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.

What are the noble gases?

Noble gas. The noble gases make a group of chemical elements with similar properties: under standard conditions, they are all odorless, colorless, monatomic gases with very low chemical reactivity. The six noble gases that occur naturally are helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and the radioactive radon.