Question

Write the uses of inert gases.

Answer 1

Inert gases

• At the end of the 19th century, a family of gases was discovered which was even more inert than nitrogen. Inert gases were named so because of their chemical inertness.
• Helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon and radon are known as inert gas or noble gases.
• About $0.96\%$air by volume consists of inert gases.
• Among all the inert gases, argon is the most abundant in the air.

Uses of inert gases

• Weather observation balloons are filled with helium as it is very light. These balloons are used to study weather.
• Helium-oxygen mixture is used by deep-sea divers for breathing instead of the nitrogen-oxygen mixture since it is harmful to inhale nitrogen under pressure.
• Helium is used as a coolant in some nuclear reactors as it provides a very low temperature.
• Neon is extensively used in tubes designed for advertising purposes and street lighting. A brilliant red-orange light is produced when electric current is passed through tubes containing neon at low pressure.
• Argon mixed with nitrogen is filled in electric light bulbs. The inert mixture prevents the oxidation of tungsten filament.
• Argon is used for welding metals.
• Xenon is used in high-intensity electric lamps, in cinema and to perform standard fading tests of textiles.
• Radon is radioactive and is used in the treatment of cancer.
• Radon and krypton are used in photography.