argon [Ar]

Introduction

From the Greek: argon meaning inactive. Discovered in 1894 by William Ramsay & Lord Raleigh

Occurrence

• found in the air & in volcanic gases
• obtained from fractional distillation of liquid air

Characteristics

• colorless odorless inert gaseous element

Uses

• filler for electric bulbs. (1890)

More general terms

• inert gas (noble gas, rare gas)

Additional terms

• periodic table