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Difficulty: Very hardNoble Gases: Isolation, Electronic Structure, and Uses

Match each noble gas to its specific industrial application based on its unique physical properties, electronic configuration, or behavior during fractional distillation of liquid air.

  • HeliumMixed with oxygen for deep-sea divers to prevent decompression sickness (the bends) due to extremely low blood solubility.
  • ArgonUsed as an unreactive shield in electric arc welding of magnesium/aluminum alloys and in filament light bulbs to inhibit tungsten evaporation.
  • NeonEmits a characteristic orange-red glow under high-voltage discharge, widely utilized in advertising sign tubes.
  • KryptonUtilized in high-speed photographic flash lamps and intense airport runway illumination due to its brilliant white light emission.

Answer

Helium matches with oxygen mixtures for deep-sea diving due to low blood solubility; Argon matches with inert shielding in arc welding and electric bulbs; Neon matches with orange-red high-voltage advertising signage glow; Krypton matches with high-speed flash lamps and airport runway lights.
Each noble gas possesses distinct physical and chemical attributes dictated by its electronic structure (ns2np6ns^2 np^6 or 1s21s^2) and position in liquefaction/fractional distillation order. Helium's low solubility under pressure makes it vital for diving gas blends. Argon provides an economical inert environment for welding and lighting. Neon produces the signature orange-red discharge for neon signs, while Krypton provides high-luminance white emission for photographic flashes and runway lights.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the physical properties and biological solubility of Helium.
Helium has a non-polar 1s21s^2 doublet configuration, extremely weak dispersion forces, and negligible solubility in blood, identifying it as the gas mixed with oxygen for deep-sea diving.
Preventing nitrogen narcosis and decompression sickness requires a non-toxic gas with minimal blood solubility.
2
Analyze the industrial abundance and thermal stability applications of Argon.
Argon ([Ne]3s23p6[Ne]3s^2 3p^6) is chemically inert and abundant in atmospheric air. It prevents oxidation during metallurgy/welding and retards tungsten filament sublimation.
High-temperature arc welding requires an inert shroud gas to displace atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen.
3
Evaluate the discharge emission spectrum of Neon.
Low-pressure electric discharge through Neon produces electronic transitions yielding a bright orange-red light, characteristic of neon advertising signs.
Excitation of valence electrons in Neon produces distinctive spectral emission in the red-orange wavelength region.
4
Evaluate the optical flash applications of Krypton.
Krypton's multi-line bright white emission under rapid electrical discharge makes it the correct choice for high-speed photographic flash bulbs and airport runway signals.
Heavy noble gases produce brilliant white light discharge suitable for specialized optical equipment.

Key Concept

Physical properties, isolation, electronic stability, and industrial applications of noble gases
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Topics

Noble Gases: Isolation, Electronic Structure, and Uses

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