In solid state Ar atoms are held together by which bond?

Answer

To answer the question about how argon atoms are held together in the solid state, we can break down the solution into several steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Nature of Argon**:
- Argon is a noble gas with an atomic number of 18. It has a complete outer electron shell, which makes it chemically inert.

2. **Understand the Solid State of Argon**:
- In the solid state, argon atoms are arranged in a lattice structure. However, due to the nature of noble gases, they do not form strong covalent or ionic bonds.

3. **Determine the Type of Forces Present**:
- The forces that hold the argon atoms together in the solid state are not strong bonds like covalent or ionic bonds. Instead, they are weak intermolecular forces.

4. **Identify the Specific Intermolecular Force**:
- The specific type of intermolecular force that holds argon atoms together in the solid state is known as Van der Waals forces (or London dispersion forces). These forces arise due to temporary dipoles that occur when the electron distribution around the atoms fluctuates.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, in the solid state, argon atoms are held together by Van der Waals forces.

### Final Answer:
In the solid state, argon atoms are held together by Van der Waals forces.

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