Question

Is Argon reactive?

Answer 1

The elements of group $18$ are commonly known as noble gases which include total $6$ noble gases in which argon is also included. Argon is a non-radioactive type of noble gas and it is isolated from air. They are purified from their mixture by a fractional distillation method.

Complete answer:
The noble gases are stable in the atmosphere therefore they exist in a free state which means they do not form compounds with elements to form a naturally stable compound.
Atomic number of Argon element is $18$ and according to Aufbau and Pauli exclusion principle, its electronic configuration is $1{s^2}2{s^2}2{p^6}3{s^2}3{p^6}$ .
From the electronic configuration of argon, we see that all the orbital contains the electron to their maximum extent therefore they are highly stable and resist acceptance and losing of electrons from their valence shell.
Argon exists in its atomic form due to higher stability via $\left( {{\beta ^ + }} \right)$ decay of potassium.
$^{40}{K_{19}} + {e^ - }{ \to ^{40}}{\rm A}{r_{18}}$
Argon element is inert in nature because of some basic properties of noble gases such as-
Argon has completely filled valence shell orbitals $3{s^2}3{p^6}$ .
Argon has a very high value of ionization energy of $1520$ $kJ/mol$ . Due to higher ionization value it is very difficult to convert the argon from its atomic form into ionic form to participate in any chemical reaction.
Due to stable configuration, electron affinity of argon is almost zero.
Argon is an inert compound because it does not participate in any chemical reaction to form new compounds but it may undergo chemical reaction with some elements under very specific conditions to form newer compounds.
$\Rightarrow$ From the above discussion we conclude that Argon is not reactive in nature.

Note:
Other elements which come under the category of noble gases are helium, neon, krypton, xenon and radon. Argon is a very large proportion of noble gas elements which have its total abundance of $0.934$ in nature. Argon may react with hydrogen under specific conditions to form their hydrides.