Ar

Definition

Ar, or argon, is one of the noble gases, a group of six chemically inert elements that make up Group 18 of the periodic table. As a noble gas, argon is characterized by its stable electronic configuration, which makes it highly unreactive under normal conditions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Argon is the third most abundant gas in the Earth's atmosphere, making up approximately 0.93% of the total volume.
2. Argon is produced commercially by the fractional distillation of liquefied air, which separates the various components of air based on their different boiling points.
3. Argon has a wide range of applications, including use as a protective gas in welding and metal production, as a fill gas in incandescent and fluorescent lamps, and in the production of various chemicals.
4. Argon is chemically inert, meaning it does not readily form chemical compounds with other elements under normal conditions.
5. Argon has a higher density than air, which makes it useful for filling the space between the panes of windows to improve insulation.

Review Questions

• Describe the occurrence and preparation of argon.
  • Argon is the third most abundant gas in the Earth's atmosphere, making up approximately 0.93% of the total volume. It is commercially produced by the fractional distillation of liquefied air, which separates the various components of air based on their different boiling points. The fractional distillation process allows for the isolation of argon from the other gases present in air, such as nitrogen and oxygen.
• Explain the properties of argon that make it a useful element.
  • Argon is chemically inert, meaning it does not readily form chemical compounds with other elements under normal conditions. This property makes argon useful as a protective gas in welding and metal production, where it is used to prevent oxidation and other chemical reactions. Argon's higher density than air also makes it useful for filling the space between the panes of windows to improve insulation, as it helps to reduce heat transfer. Additionally, argon is used as a fill gas in incandescent and fluorescent lamps, where its inert nature helps to maintain the lamp's internal environment.
• Analyze the role of argon in the context of the noble gases and their properties.
  • Argon is one of the six noble gases, a group of chemically inert elements that make up Group 18 of the periodic table. As a noble gas, argon is characterized by its stable electronic configuration, which makes it highly unreactive under normal conditions. This stability is a defining feature of the noble gases, which also includes helium, neon, krypton, xenon, and radon. The noble gases' lack of reactivity is due to their full outer electron shells, which provide a high degree of stability and prevent them from forming chemical bonds with other elements. This unique property of the noble gases, including argon, has led to their widespread use in various industrial and technological applications.

Related terms

Noble Gases:

The group of six chemically inert elements in Group 18 of the periodic table, including helium (He), neon (Ne), argon (Ar), krypton (Kr), xenon (Xe), and radon (Rn).

Inert: Describing a substance that does not undergo chemical reactions under normal conditions, due to its stable electronic configuration.

Periodic Table:

The tabular arrangement of chemical elements organized by their atomic number, electron configuration, and chemical properties.