Ask A Scientist Chemistry Archive

name         Anisa C.
status       student
age          19

Question -   Argon is not a metal. Under which circumstances might
argon become metallic?
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Under extremely high pressure and low temperature, the electron clouds of
atoms are squashed so close together that they form a continuum of
electrons. Under these conditions electrons, at least in principle, are free
to move in response to an applied voltage, like a metal. Whether the
conditions can be obtained with existing experimental equipment, is another
question.

Vince Calder
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