Its name literally means "lazy" in Greek — and no element lives up to its name quite like argon. It refuses to react with anything. No bonds, no compounds under normal conditions, no chemistry whatsoever. It simply exists — calm and self-sufficient. And yet it is the most abundant noble gas on Earth.
Every breath you take contains argon. It makes up nearly 1% of the atmosphere — more than water vapor or carbon dioxide. This chemical laziness is exactly what makes it invaluable. Welding, lightbulbs, window insulation — wherever protection from chemical reactions is needed, argon is there.
Nearly all atmospheric argon is the isotope 40-Ar, produced by the radioactive decay of potassium-40 in Earth's crust over billions of years. Argon is obtained by fractional distillation of liquid air — a cheap and straightforward process. That is why argon costs a fraction of the price of other noble gases.
Industry consumes millions of tons of argon annually. It provides inert shielding for welding, fills incandescent bulbs and energy-efficient window units. Even winemakers rely on argon to protect opened bottles from oxidation.
Argon is non-toxic and odorless, but poses a serious hazard in enclosed spaces. It is 1.38 times heavier than air and accumulates in low-lying areas, pits, and basements, displacing oxygen. A person loses consciousness without any warning signs — no smell, no irritation. Proper ventilation and oxygen-level monitors are mandatory when working with argon.
Every breath you take contains argon. It makes up 0.93% of the atmosphere — far more than CO₂ (0.04%). You inhale roughly 200 liters of pure argon every day.
99.6% of atmospheric argon was produced by radioactive decay of potassium-40 deep inside Earth's crust. This process has been going on for billions of years — and still continues.
The name 'argon' comes from the Greek word 'argos' meaning lazy or inactive. The element earned it by flatly refusing to form chemical bonds.
Argon was the first noble gas discovered on Earth (1894). Helium was found earlier, but only in the Sun's spectrum — not on our planet.
At -186°C argon becomes a liquid, and at -189°C it freezes into a crystal. The gap between its boiling and melting points is just 3.5°C.
In 2000 scientists synthesized the first argon compound — HArF. It only exists below -245°C and decomposes instantly when warmed.
| Isotope | Mass (u) | Abundance | Half-life | Decay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
36Ar | 35.967545 | 0.34% | stable | — |
38Ar | 37.962732 | 0.06% | stable | — |
40Ar | 39.962383 | 99.60% | stable | — |
Fractional distillation of liquid air