The Benefits and Some Useful Applications of Argon - Case Study Example

Argon The first noble gas that was added to periodic table was Argon. The English scientist, Sir Henry Cavendish, in 1785 wanted to explore the other elements of air, apart from oxygen. During his experiments, he found that 99.3 percent of air comprises of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. However, the balance components were not identifiable by him, at that time. Pursuing with further experimentation and lab research, many scientists found the presence of hydrogen in the air. Ultimately, scientist Ramsay carried an experiment by removing hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide from air. The balance left was an unknown gas that would not have any reaction with other components. Ramsay and Rayleigh presented their paper with these findings, naming the unknown gas as “Argon”, which came from the Greek word ‘Argos’, meaning inactive. Facts about Argon It is a colorless non-metal noble gas, having atomic weight of 39.948 and has 18, each, electrons and protons. Its melting point is (-)189.3 degree centigrade and boiling point is (-)185.3 degrees. Its atomic value is 22.4 cu. M per mol. According to Lord Raleigh, the total weight of this gas in earth’s atmosphere is around 65 trillion metric tons, which means that almost 9 metric tons of Argon can be allocated to each person on this planet. (stewart) IUPAC changed the symbol of Argon to ‘Ar’ from ‘A’, in 1957. While carbon dating can help in finding the age of rocks, up to last 60 thousand years, the potassium-argon and argon-argon dating can help scientists in finding the dates of rocks, much older than this period. The radioactive decay of potassium - 40 is responsible for creation of majority of stable argon, as 99 percent of this gas on earth is argon - 40. However, argon – 36 is found, far away from earth, as this isotope is synthesized with silicon in an abundant manner. (Source: http://www.chemicool.com/elements/argon.html ) The above is an infrared image being 10000 years away in the galaxy of this planet, as the glow on this picture indicates the presence of argon gas. (stewart) Benefits of Argon The most common application of Argon gas is found in the manufacture of window and other glass panes that require insulation. Using this noble gas in such applications gives the following advantages. Very reasonable cost Argon is cheap mainly due to its massive presence in our atmosphere, as it makes almost 0.9 percent of earth’s atmosphere. In addition, the nature-friendly property of Argon makes it easier for applications like filling the gap between the two glass panes. Insulation enhancement The basic reason for Argon use as an insulating agent is its relatively low thermal conductivity. It is found that Argon has around 35 percent lesser thermal conductivity, as compared to normal air. This property of Argon helps in air-conditioning, as window panes with argon between the two glass layers help in keeping heat inside the house during winters and outside during summers. This in turn reduces the energy consumption also.(Benefits of Argon) Reduces glass condensation This feature of Argon is beneficial during winters, as use of this gas increases the temperature of glass, which results in eliminating the glass condensation. In addition, the area inside the house remains warmer. Helps in building energy efficient houses Specially designed glasses and windows, using Argon gas as filling between the two glass panes helps in conservation of energy and saving of such bills, thus reducing the house maintenance and utility expenses. Argon is non-reactive and non-toxic. As Argon is non-toxic, it is safe to use this noble gas in applications like arc welding, cutting and glass window manufacturing. In addition, the gas does not react with other components for formation of any new compounds. This results in elimination of problems like corrosion, which is seen quite often in the use of oxygen, as it reacts with metals, causing corrosion on them.(Benefits of Argon) Uses of Argon Due to its non-reactive property, Argon is best suitable for welding jobs, which require non-reactive atmosphere, while the process is on. In addition, the use of argon is found in the manufacture of light bulbs, meant for protecting the filament. The semiconductor manufacturing industry finds the use of Argon for creating an inert atmosphere, which is necessary for crystal growth of silicon and germanium. Medical research and clinical procedures have found argon to be very useful. Its use is found in lasers meant for conducting ophthalmologic surgeries for correcting defects in eye, including the blood vessel leakages, macular degeneration, glaucoma and retinal detachment, among others. The glass panes, which require double or triple glazing, find Argon useful as it has low thermal conductivity, which is required for the gas being filled between the two glass panes. While pure Argon costs around $0.5 for every 100 grams, this gas is commercially produced by fractional distillation of liquefied air. The catalytic burning of traces of oxygen left by this process, gives Argon as a byproduct. (stewart) The current technology allows for use of cryogenic fractional distillation. However, earlier Argon isolation was done through a multi-step system. It started with air separation distillation along with low-pressure column, for isolating air having high content of Argon. The next step was the formation of Argon in water by reacting the heated crude Argon with oxygen and nitrogen. The process of water removal using condensation and absorption methods fallowed this. The extra content of any nitrogen and hydrogen was removed through the process of cooling the Argon gas mixture to low temperatures, thus getting the pure Argon.(Element details) The following table gives the general properties of Argon gas. Name Argon Symbol Ar Number 18 Chemical series noble gases Group 18 Period 3 Block p Appearance colorless Standard atomic weight 39.948(1) g·mol−1 Electron configuration [Ne] 3s2 3p6 Electrons per shell 2, 8, 8 (Source: http://www.sciencefairadventure.com/Argon.aspx ) Following chart gives the atomic properties of Argon noble gas Atomic properties Crystal structure cubic face centered Oxidation states 0 Electronegativity (Pauling scale) Ionization energies 1st: 1520.6 kJ·mol−1 (more) 2nd: 2665.8 kJ·mol−1 (more) 3rd: 3931 kJ·mol−1 Atomic radius 71 pm Atomic radius (calc.) 71 pm Covalent radius 97 pm Van der Waals radius 188 pm (source: http://www.sciencefairadventure.com/Argon.aspx ) In addition to the above, following chart gives the physical properties of Argon element Physical properties Phase gas (At room temperature) Density (near r.t.) (0 °C, 101.325 kPa) 1.784 g/L Liquid density at m.p. Melting point 83.80 K (−189.35 °C, −308.83 °F) Boiling point 87.30 K (−185.85 °C, −302.53 °F) Critical point 150.87 K, 4.898 MPa Heat of fusion 1.18 kJ·mol−1 Heat of vaporization 6.43 kJ·mol−1 Heat capacity (25 °C) 20.786 J·mol−1·K−1 (Source: http://www.sciencefairadventure.com/Argon.aspx ) Some useful applications of Argon Argon is a colorless gas. However, when electricity is passed through it, this gas gives out a sky-blue glow. Being a least expensive inert gas, it is mostly used to protect different elements against oxidation. Following picture gives the image of glow from an excited Argon gas (Source: http://periodictable.com/Elements/018/ ) Double glass pane window with Argon filling The main advantages of having an Argon-filled double glass pane window include the increased insulation and leaser cost of the gas. However, there are chances of leakage of this gas, after few years of usage.(Argon) Indicator lamp with Argon (Source: http://periodictable.com/Elements/018/ ) This lamp has 90 percent pure Argon gas. The purple blue glow is created due to the Argon gas characteristics, when electricity current having 120 AC volts is applied to the lamp.(Argon) Ordinary light bulb (Source: http://periodictable.com/Elements/018/ ) Argon is used in the manufacture of almost all household ordinary bulbs. Above is an image of lighted ordinary bulb, filled with Argon, which comes at a cheaper cost, in comparison to exotic bulbs that require xenon or Krypton gas fillings.(Argon) Works Cited “Argon” Periodic tables, elements. n.d. Web. 26 Feb.2014 “Benefits of Argon.” Benefits of. net nd, Web. 26 Feb.2014. “Element details.” Argon details, Science fair adventure n.d. Web. 26 Feb.2014. Stewart, Doug, . “Argon Element Facts.” Chemicool periodic tables, chemicool.com, 15 Oct. 2012. Web. 26 Feb.2014. Pettis, Michael. “The Great Rebalancing: Trade, Conflict, and the Perilous Road Ahead for the World Economy”, nook for web Barnes & Noble-books, n.d. Web. 29 Oct 2013. < Read More