The Properties of the Argon Element
Symbol of Element : Ar
Atomic Number: 18
Atomic Mass: 39.948 amu
Melting Point: -189.3 °C - 83.85 °K
Boiling Point: -186.0 °C - 87.15 °K
Number of Protons/Electrons: 18
Number of Neutrons: 22
Crystal Structure: Cubic
Density @ 293 K: 1.784 g/cm3
Color: Colorless
What is Argon? Periodic Table Group and Classification of the Argon Element
Elements can be classified based on their physical states (States of Matter) e.g. gas, solid or liquid. This element is a gas. Argon is classified as an element in the 'Noble Gases' section which can be located in group 18 of the Periodic Table. The term 'Noble gas' derives from the Old High German word Edelgas from 'edili' meaning "noble". The name 'noble gases' is an allusion to the old, similarly termed 'Noble Metals'. The Noble Metals includ gold, silver and platinum and were so called due to their association with aristocracy.
What is Argon? Origin / Meaning of the name Argon
The name originates from the Greek word 'argos' meaning inactive.
What is Argon? Periodic Table Group and Classification of the Argon Element
Elements can be classified based on their physical states (States of Matter) e.g. gas, solid or liquid. This element is a gas. Argon is classified as an element in the 'Noble Gases' section which can be located in group 18 of the Periodic Table. The term 'Noble gas' derives from the Old High German word Edelgas from 'edili' meaning "noble". The name 'noble gases' is an allusion to the old, similarly termed 'Noble Metals'. The Noble Metals included gold, silver and platinum which were so called due to their long association with the aristocracy.
Facts about the Discovery and History of the Argon Element
Argon was discovered by Sir William Ramsey in 1894.
Sir William Ramsay (1852 - 1916)
Sir William Ramsay discovered the noble gases and received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1904 "in recognition of his services in the discovery of the inert gaseous elements in air". These elements included neon, krypton and Xenon. Ramsay also isolated Helium which had been observed in the spectrum of the sun but had not been found on earth. In 1910 Ramsay also made and characterized radon.
What is Argon? Occurrence of the Argon Element
The atmosphere contains only 0.94% volume of argon (1.29% mass)
Abundances of the element in different environments
% in Universe 0.02%
% in Sun 0.007%
% in Meteorites N/A
% in Earth's Crust 0.00015%
% in Oceans 0.000045%
% in Humans N/A
Associated Uses of Argon
Electric light bulbs
Fluorescent tubes
Radio vacuum tubes
Arc welding
Cryosurgery procedures
Argon laser surgery. The argon laser provides the limited penetration needed for eye surgery and superficial skin disorders.
