No Longer "Noble"; Argon Compound Found In Space

mbstone writes "Scientists at the University College of London — where argon was originally discovered in 1894 — have now found spectroscopic signatures of molecules of argon hydride (ArH), said to be produced via explosive nucleosynthesis in a core-collapse supernova in the Crab Nebula. The post-supernova molecular dust was observed by the Herschel Space Observatory shortly before it ran out of coolant in April.."

Comments

Re:What does the comment about "Noble" mean?

[nbritton]

Noble as in inert - it's not supposed to react to form a stable molecule.

Noble doesn't imply non-reactive, all of the noble elements can be ionized, with enough energy, just like any other element. What it means is they have a stable electron configuration. Helium, Neon, Argon, Krypton, Xenon, and Radon all have there outermost electron orbital shells filled. This means they're not inclined to give, borrow, or take electrons from other elements, this is why there called noble.

The fact that argon hydride was found in space implies that krypton, xenon, and radon hydride can also be found in space.

Re:What does the comment about "Noble" mean?

[wonkey_monkey]

That far right side of the Periodic Table

Also known as the fascist elements.