Argon

Argon is the most inert (will not readily combine with other elements to form compounds) of the inert gases (others are helium, neon, krypton, xenon and radon), so it is used to fill electric light bulbs, fluorescent tubes, photo tubes and glow tubes.   It is used as gas shield for arc welding and cutting and a cover for the production of titanium and other reactive elements.   Argon is used in semiconductor manufacture as a protective atmosphere for growing silicon and germanium crystals. ^{Lide 4-4}

Argon was discovered by John Strutt (Lord Rayleigh) a British physicist and Sir William Ramsay, a British chemist, in 1894.   Argon is prepared by fractionalization of liquid air. ^{Lide 4-4}