Argon: meaning, definitions and examples

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argon

 

[ ˈɑːrɡən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

chemical element

Argon is a colorless, odorless inert gas that is part of the noble gases group in the periodic table. It has the atomic number 18 and is represented by the symbol 'Ar'. As an inert gas, argon does not readily react with other elements or compounds, which makes it useful in a variety of applications, including lighting and welding. Argon is the third most abundant gas in the Earth's atmosphere, comprising about 0.93% of the volume of air. Its stability and non-reactivity contribute to its use in controlled environments, ensuring that sensitive processes and materials remain unaffected by chemical reactions.

Synonyms

Ar, inert gas

Examples of usage

  • Argon is often used in the manufacture of light bulbs.
  • Welders use argon to protect the weld area from atmospheric gases.
  • Argon is found in trace amounts in the Earth's atmosphere.

Translations

Translations of the word "argon" in other languages:

🇵🇹 argo

🇮🇳 आर्गन

🇩🇪 Argon

🇮🇩 argon

🇺🇦 аргон

🇵🇱 argon

🇯🇵 アルゴン

🇫🇷 argon

🇪🇸 argón

🇹🇷 argon

🇰🇷 아르곤

🇸🇦 أرجون

🇨🇿 argon

🇸🇰 argon

🇨🇳 氩气

🇸🇮 argon

🇮🇸 argon

🇰🇿 аргон

🇬🇪 არგონი

🇦🇿 argon

🇲🇽 argón

Etymology

The word 'argon' comes from the Greek word 'argon,' which means 'inactive' or 'lazy.' This name was chosen because of the element's chemical inactivity, reflecting its reluctance to combine with other elements. Argon was discovered in 1894 by the British scientists Lord Rayleigh and William Ramsay while they were experimenting with the composition of atmospheric gases. They identified argon as a new element when they noticed that it did not react with any of the elements known at the time. Following its discovery, argon was classified as a noble gas, a group defined by their lack of chemical reactivity. Over time, argon's unique properties have made it useful in a wide range of industrial processes, particularly where purging gases are needed.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #12,629, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.