Argon

Argon

Symbol: Ar

Atomic number: 18

Average Atomic Mass: 39.948

Group number: 18

Group name: Noble gas

Period number: 3

In 1894 a colorless gas that takes up 0.94% of the Earth's atmosphere was discoveredby Sir William Ramsey in Scotland and was named Argon from the greek root argos meaning inactive. It used today in electric lights and in fluorescent tubes, photo tubes, glow tubes, and in lasers. Argon is used as an inert gas for welding and cutting, blanketing reactive elements, and as a protective (nonreactive) atmosphere for growing crystals of silicon and germanium.

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