ARGON

HISTORY

• Most of this element was formed from decaying potassium in the earths crust
• It's name was derived from the Greek word Apyov with means lazy or inactive.
• It was first suspected to be in the air by Henry Cavendish in 1785.
• It's symbol is Ar but was just A until 1957.
• It is the third most abundant element in the air.

PROPERTIES

• It is nonflammable and non toxic.
• It is colorless and odorless.
• It is a noble gas.
• It has no confirmed stable compounds at room temperature.
• It is fluorescent when charged with electricity.

USES OF ARGON

• It is used for welding, usually on aluminum.
• It is used on welding aluminum because it has a lower melting point than other metals
• And argon burns at a lower temperature than other gasses.
• Used in incandescent and fluorescent lighting.
• It lights up in a bright purple which is good for signs that need an eye attracting light.

WHERE IT EXISTS

• It is found anywhere in the atmosphere.
• It is found in a mixed state with other gasses and needs to be purified.
• You would pay around .50 cents per 100 grams for pure argon.
• It was discovered on accident when scientists were trying to purify air to get pure nitrogen.