Helium, with one proton and one neutron, is the second-most abundant element in the universe behind hydrogen, which contains only a proton. This prolongs the life of the bulb. One of the most exotic uses of argon is in the tires of luxury cars. Argon is used in incandescent light bulbs to prevent quick oxidation of the filament. Kirk Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. Argon lasers are used in the treatment of retinal detachment and retinal phototherapy in diabetics. Incandescent lights are filled with argon, to preserve the filaments at high temperature from oxidation. Argon is inexpensive, since it occurs naturally in air and is readily obtained as a byproduct of cryogenic air separation in the production of liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen: the primary constituents of air are used on a large industrial scale. On warming just above -246°C, it reverted right back to argon and hydrogen fluoride. Carbon dating, which is just a specific type of radioisotope dating, is useful only for objects known to be on the order of thousands of years old. Five major uses of argon, for example, include its placement in neon lights, its ability to help determine the age of very old substances, its use as an insulator in manufacturing metals, its role as a welding gas and its use in 3-D printing. The Declaration Of Independence preservation case filling up with Argon. It is thicker than air and settles over the liquid, thus protecting the wine against oxidation and acid. High levels of argon gas in the air in a closed environment can displace oxygen and lead to respiratory problems ranging from mild to severe, depending on how much argon is present. Liquid argon is used as the target for neutrino experiments and direct dark matter searches. The inert nature of the argon gas means it can provide a protective atmosphere. Similarly, it serves to provide an inert atmosphere for open wine bottles and alcoholic beverages in bars and restaurants. Neon lights that shine blue actually contain argon, according to Bill Concannon, a neon-sign artist in Crockett, California. However it was not widely recognised at that time. [28] In August 2000, another argon compound, argon fluorohydride (HArF), was formed by researchers at the University of Helsinki, by shining ultraviolet light onto frozen argon containing a small amount of hydrogen fluoride with caesium iodide. Argon, abbreviated Ar, is element number 18 on the periodic table, making it the third-lightest of the six noble gases behind helium (atomic number 2) and neon (number 10). This prevents their degradation and damage during their storage and display. (Neon itself makes an orange-red glow.) See, CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (, Zawalick, Steven Scott "Method for preserving an oxygen sensitive liquid product", electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket, "IUPAC Periodic Table of the Elements and Isotopes", Magnetic susceptibility of the elements and inorganic compounds, "Material Safety Data Sheet Gaseous Argon", "HArF! It is difficult to detect because it is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Even Oxygen can be added to a mix of gases to become a shielding gas for gas metal arc welding (but this is rarely). Its triple point temperature of 83.8058 K is a defining fixed point in the International Temperature Scale of 1990.