Inert gas

Inert gas refers to a gas that does not undergo chemical reactions under a set of given conditions. The noble gases often do not react with many substances and were historically referred to as the inert gases. Inert gases are used generally to avoid unwanted chemical reactions degrading a sample. These undesirable chemical reactions are often oxidation and hydrolysis reactions with the oxygen and moisture in air.

Characteristics

Inert gases are non-reactive, or minimally reactive, under normal conditions. Their lack of reactivity is due to the fullness of their outermost electron shells which makes them stable and unlikely to form chemical bonds because they do not need to gain, lose, or share electrons.

Types of Inert Gases

The noble gases, including helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon, are often considered to be inert gases due to their extreme stability and lack of reactivity under normal conditions. Other gases such as nitrogen can also be considered inert under certain conditions.

Uses of Inert Gases

Inert gases have a variety of applications in industries such as welding, lighting, and the production of semiconductors. They are also used in the preservation of rare and reactive substances, and in processes that require an absence of reactive substances.

Welding

Inert gases like argon and helium are used in gas tungsten arc welding and gas metal arc welding to shield the weld area from atmospheric gases.

Lighting

Noble gases are used in lighting because of their lack of reactivity. Neon, for example, is used in neon signs and fluorescent lights.

Preservation

Inert gases are used in the preservation of rare and reactive substances. For example, nitrogen is used to preserve the freshness of packaged foods by displacing the oxygen in the package.

Safety

While inert gases are generally non-toxic, they can pose asphyxiation risks if they displace oxygen in the air to levels below what is necessary to sustain life.

See Also

• Noble gases
• Chemical reaction
• Electron shell
• Welding
• Lighting
• Preservation

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