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.
page revision: 2, last edited: 01 Oct 2007 16:22