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Argon is a chemical element; it has symbol Ar and atomic number 18. It is in group 18 of the periodic table and is a noble gas. [10] Argon is the third most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere, at 0.934% (9340 ppmv).
Narcosis results from breathing gases under elevated pressure, and may be classified by the principal gas involved. The noble gases, except helium and probably neon, [2] as well as nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen cause a decrement in mental function, but their effect on psychomotor function (processes affecting the coordination of sensory or cognitive processes and motor activity) varies widely.
An asphyxiant gas, also known as a simple asphyxiant, is a nontoxic or minimally toxic gas which reduces or displaces the normal oxygen concentration in breathing air. Breathing of oxygen-depleted air can lead to death by asphyxiation (suffocation).
An occasional cause of accidental death in humans, inert gas asphyxia has been used as a suicide method. Inert gas asphyxia has been advocated by proponents of euthanasia, using a gas-retaining plastic hood device colloquially referred to as a suicide bag. Nitrogen asphyxiation has been approved in some places as a method of capital punishment.
The possibility of anaesthesia by the inert gas argon in particular (even at 10 to 15 bar) suggests that the mechanism of action of volatile anaesthetics is an effect best described by physical chemistry, and not a chemical bonding action. However, the agent may bind to a receptor with a weak interaction.
A gas is a greenhouse gas if it absorbs longwave radiation. ... (due to human action), the natural greenhouse effect is increased. ... (such as argon, Ar) ...
The term inert gas is context-dependent because several of the inert gases, including nitrogen and carbon dioxide, can be made to react under certain conditions. [1] [2] Purified argon gas is the most commonly used inert gas due to its high natural abundance (78.3% N 2, 1% Ar in air) [3] and low relative cost.
Examples of other gases used are propane-butane, [37] which has narcotic effects, [38] and is commonly adulterated with strong smelling additives to warn of gas leaks, and natural gas. [39] Suicides using a suicide bag and an inert gas produce no characteristic post-mortem macroscopic or microscopic findings.