Question

Inert gases are considered to be most stable and so they are un-reactive. They are used in many industrial purposes:-



• helium – it is the lightest of inert gases and so it is used in hot air balloons like weather balloons, airships and other decorative balloons.

Answer 1

•Neon is used in the familiar ‘neon sign” used in advertisement. The brilliant red glow is caused by the passage of electric current through neon gas under low pressure. The color of the light given off can be changed by mixing mercury vapor and argon with the neon.

•Argon is used in filament bulbs because the metal filament will not burn in argon (i.e., argon prevents the oxidation of the hot filament, thereby prolonging its life). Its greater chemical inertness and lower thermal conductivity make argon superior to nitrogen for this purpose. Argon is also used in electric arc welding of metals as a shielding gas, to produce an inert atmosphere.

•Krypton is used in fluorescent bulbs, flash bulbs and lasers. Lamps filled with krypton are used at some airports as approach lights since their light can penetrate dense fog unusually well.

•Xenon is used in fluorescent bulbs, flash bulbs and lasers. Xenon emits an instant, intense light when present in discharge tubes. This property of xenon is utilized in high-speed electronic flash bulbs used by photographers.

•Radon:It is radioactive and is used in medicine as a source of gamma rays. The gas is sealed in small capsules, which are implanted in the body to destroy malignant (e.g., cancerous) growths.