Question

The most abundant noble gas in atmosphere is:
(a) neon
(b) argon
(c) xenon
(d) krypton

Answer 1

Hint: Noble gases are highly non-reactive gases. The most abundant noble gas in the atmosphere is used in chemical laboratories to provide an inert atmosphere for certain reactions.

Complete answer:
-Noble gases are classes of elements with similar properties that are odourless, colourless and monoatomic with very low reactivity. These make up group 18 which has the elements, helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon and radon.
-In our atmosphere, the noble gases present are argon, neon and helium. The percent of helium present is around 0.00052% and neon is 0.0018% and the amount of argon present is 0.934%. So, the percentage of argon present is more than all the other noble gases present in the atmosphere. This is due to its very stable nucleus and inert properties. It is used to provide inert atmospheres in various reactions which are carried out in laboratories and as well as other uses.
Therefore, the most abundant noble gas in the atmosphere is argon.

The correct answer to the question is option (b).

Additional Information:
Argon is a colourless, odourless element. The element gets its name from the Greek word for ‘lazy’.
The atomic number of argon is 18 and the symbol is Ar. It is the third most abundant gas in the earth atmosphere. Most of the argon in earth’s atmosphere is radiogenic argon-40. Argon can also be produced industrially by fractional distillation of liquid air.

Note: Argon has a very stable nucleus. Due to its stable nucleus it can provide an inert atmosphere.