Argon
By: James Galasso
The Basics of Argon
- Symbol: Ar
- Atomic Number: 18
- Atomic Mass: 39.948 amu
- Appearance: Colorless and Odorless
- Family: Noble Gases
- Melting Point: -189.3 degrees Celsius
- Boiling Point: -185.86 degrees Celsius
- Normal Phase: Gas
- Classification: Nonmetal
- Price: $100 for 55 cubic feet tank
Fun Facts
- Argon was discovered by Sir William Ramsay and Baron Rayleigh in 1894
- Argon comes from the Greek word, "Argos" which means idle
- It is approximately 1.4 times as heavy as air
- Around 1.6% of the atmosphere of Mars contains Argon
- Argon is not toxic
Why Buy Argon?
Welding: Argon is wrapped around an electrode in gas-metal welding and thus protects the electrode from air.
Light Bulbs: Argon is fed into light bulbs instead of oxygen to produce a brighter and safer light bulb.
Lasers: Argon is used as a medium for an Argon-ion laser.
Carbon Dating: Argon is used for carbon dating. Argon-40 is used with Potassium-40 to determine the age of rocks over 100,000 years old.
Neon Lamps: Argon is used for neon lamps. When neon is used for neon lamps, the result is a red light, however an argon lamp produces a bright blue light.
Price: Argon is relatively cheap. A 55 cubic foot tank of argon which will provide 2 hours and 45 minutes of welding is only about $100.
Welding: Argon is wrapped around an electrode in gas-metal welding and thus protects the electrode from air.
Light Bulbs: Argon is fed into light bulbs instead of oxygen to produce a brighter and safer light bulb.
Lasers: Argon is used as a medium for an Argon-ion laser.
Carbon Dating: Argon is used for carbon dating. Argon-40 is used with Potassium-40 to determine the age of rocks over 100,000 years old.
Neon Lamps: Argon is used for neon lamps. When neon is used for neon lamps, the result is a red light, however an argon lamp produces a bright blue light.
Price: Argon is relatively cheap. A 55 cubic foot tank of argon which will provide 2 hours and 45 minutes of welding is only about $100.