Make Entry -- Become an Editor -- Most Popular: (10, 25, 50, 75, 100)

   Help

Inert Gas

An inert gas is any gas, either elemental or molecular in structure, that does not react under normal circumstances. All the noble gases from the Periodic Table are included in this (helium, neon, xenon, etc.), as well as other gases in molecular form in which the valence shell of the atoms is complete. However, only helium and neon among the noble gases are truly inert; the heavier noble gases do form chemical compounds.

Inert gases are ideal for combining with other gases, or otherwise using them, to prevent chemical reactions from taking place. Molecular nitrogen is used in food packaging because it is nonpoisonous yet does not allow bacteria or fungus to proliferate, as it will with either oxygen or carbon dioxide; its inert properties also prevents it with reacting with the food in any way or from harming the human body.

Other uses include filling empty space in liquid fuel tanks or shielding heated metal in arc welding from reactive gases. In any situation where something to prevent reactions is desirable, inert gases such as molecular nitrogen are likely to be used.

Web Resources On Inert Gas

The Inert Gases
Risks of Inert Gases

Book Resources On Inert Gas

Neurophysiological investigations of inert gas effects on the central nervous system by Theodore D Langley
The Federal helium program: The reaction over an inert gas by James E Mielke

Site Maps: Most Recent | Clusters | Browse
New: Graduate Student Job Opportunity