Noble gases include argon. It is a gas that exists in the atmosphere of the Earth. It makes up around 0.93% of air and is the third most prevalent environmental gas. Due to its escape from the Sun’s photosphere during the Solar System’s formation, argon is abundant in the atmosphere of the Earth.
It has no smell, no colour, is neither hazardous nor explosive, and does not interact with other substances. The production of semiconductors, welding, the production of glass, and other fields all employ argon gas.
A little history on argon
Greek is the language of origin for the word argon. It refers to the element performing no chemical reactions and indicates passive nature or inertia. The outer atomic shell of argon contains a full octet of eight electrons, which makes it stable and prevents it from bonding with other elements.
In the International Temperature Scale of 1990, the triple point temperature of 83.8058 K (-189.3472 °C; -308.4296 °F) serves as a defining fixed point (ITS-90). Industrial production of argon involves the fractional distillation of liquid air. Read further about the various applications of argon.
Health care industry
The medical field uses argon for various purposes. It is used to sterilize medical equipment and maintain it clean and free of pollutants to protect patients from infections.
Argon is also used to fill the area between the retina and lens in the eye and to inflate balloons for angioplasty. Additionally, it is employed in the manufacture of medications and the field of medical research.
Lighting industry
For several purposes, argon is used in the lighting sector. First, argon gas is non-toxic. Second, although it does not lead to global warming. Third, it is a renewable resource.
Argon is employed as an inert gas to give a more energy-efficient alternative to conventional light bulbs. They are also frequently used in light fixtures and neon signage.
Food and drink industry
Three primary purposes drive the use of argon in manufacturing food and beverages: to enhance flavour, stop bacterial growth, and lengthen shelf life. Additionally, it has been discovered to lessen the development of foodborne contaminants and assist in preventing food from going bad.
The inertness of argon makes it a preferred choice for reaction-sensitive food and beverage goods. It has also been demonstrated to be a wise choice for gas-fired cooktops and ovens.
Manufacturing industry
Argon is a gas utilised in several industrial processes, such as brazing, cutting, and welding. It is most frequently employed in welding, which generates an inert atmosphere that prevents the weld from oxidising.
Additionally, it is engaged in other procedures like the growth of silicon crystals and the production of titanium alloys. For these uses, its low reactivity makes it the perfect choice. Furthermore, it is utilised in the semiconductor business to develop a setting where semiconductor materials can grow without being contaminated by other substances.
Scuba diving
In scuba diving, argon helps prevent nitrogen narcosis in divers. It can be used by divers alone or combined with other gases. It serves as an alternative to air in air cylinders for scuba diving. Argon is superior to air in several ways, providing more excellent depth range, longer duration spent at depth, etc.
Thus, these are the top applications of argon. However, it is used in several other areas as well. They include cinematography, viniculture, cryosurgery, neutrino experiments, forensic medicine, etc.
