How Do We Get It? – Argon

October 19, 2025 · by sybrinapublishing

The Journey of Argon: How We Get This Element

Hey there! Have you ever looked at the periodic table and wondered about the elements on it? One of them is argon, represented by the symbol “Ar.” It’s the third most abundant gas in the Earth’s atmosphere, but how do we actually get this intriguing element? Let’s dive into the science and technology behind obtaining argon!

Argon is a colorless, odorless, and inert gas. Being part of the noble gases family, it doesn’t react much with other elements, making it unique and useful in various applications. You might find argon in light bulbs, welding processes, or even in some types of semiconductor manufacturing. But how do we go from nothing to having this essential gas?

Argon is primarily found in the Earth’s atmosphere, making up about 0.93% of it. Think about it: when you take a deep breath, you’re inhaling trace amounts of this gas! Just like the way you can collect rainwater, we can collect argon from the air.

To obtain argon, we need to deal with air, which contains various gases like nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. The process begins with “air separation”, which is typically done in large industrial plants. Here’s how it all works:

1. Air Compression: The first step involves compressing large volumes of air. This compressed air is then cooled down significantly, causing it to liquefy.

2. Fractional Distillation: Once the air becomes liquid, it’s subjected to fractional distillation. Imagine it like separating different colored layers in a drink. Each gas has a different boiling point, so as we heat the liquid air, different gases evaporate at various temperatures.

For example, nitrogen evaporates at a lower temperature than argon, while oxygen evaporates at a slightly higher temperature. This means we can separate them based on how they react to heat.

3. Collecting Argon: As the gases separate, argon remains behind or can be collected based on its boiling point, which is -185.8°C. What’s really cool is that argon is a byproduct of separating oxygen and nitrogen, so we end up with a lot of argon during this process!

Once we’ve extracted argon, what do we do with it? Argon is pretty versatile! It’s used in welding because it creates an inert atmosphere that prevents metal from oxidizing. It’s also a key ingredient in certain types of light bulbs where it helps increase efficiency and longevity. Additionally, argon is used in insulating windows by filling the space between panes to improve energy efficiency.

So there you have it! The journey of argon from the air around us to its collection and use in various applications. While it might not be one of the flashiest elements, argon plays a vital role in many industries and technologies that make our lives better. Next time you glance at the periodic table, you’ll know a bit more about how this fascinating gas is derived from something as common as the air we breathe! Keep exploring the wonders of chemistry, and who knows what else you might uncover!

This article is brought to you by Sybrina Durant, the author of the middle grade picture book, Magical Elements of the Periodic Table Presented Alphabetically By The Elemental Wizards. Learn More. In that book Argon is presented by the Wizard, Areg.

Inter-Active Elemental Fantasy-Themed Periodic Table from Magical Elements of the Periodic Table Presented Alphabetically by The Elemental Dragon Clan

Click here to use This Inter-Active Viewer To Learn More About The Elements Each Elemental Represents On This Periodic Table. Want this in a 24″ x 36″ Poster? Click here.