Noble gases
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| noble gases | 稀有气体 | xī yǒu qì tǐ |
| inert | 惰性 | duò xìng |
| full outer shell | 满外层 | mǎn wài céng |
| monatomic | 单原子 | dān yuán zi |
The unreactive Group 0
- At the far right of the table sits a group that barely reacts at all.
- These are the noble gases 稀有气体 (Group 0), famous for being inert 惰性.
Noble gas lab
Classify noble gas uses by the property that makes them useful.
Noble gases are unreactive because they have:
A full outer shell is very stable.
Other elements react in order to reach a full, stable outer shell like the noble gases.
A full shell is the stable arrangement elements aim for.
The noble gases are found in Group ______ of the Periodic Table.
Group 0 (sometimes called Group VIII).
Why they are unreactive
- Noble gases have a full outer shell 满外层 of electrons.
- A full shell is very stable, so they have no need to gain, lose or share electrons.
The noble gases (Group 0) fill the far-right column of the periodic table
Noble gases exist as:
They do not bond, so they are monatomic.
Properties
- They are colourless gases that exist as single atoms (monatomic 单原子).
- They are non-flammable and chemically very unreactive.
Helium is used in balloons because it is:
Low density lifts; inertness makes it safe.
Uses
- Helium is used in balloons and airships (less dense than air, non-flammable).
- Argon fills light bulbs; neon glows in signs — uses that rely on their inertness.
A full outer shell means stability. The noble gases are unreactive precisely because their outer shell is already full. Other elements react in order to reach this same stable arrangement.
You've got it
- noble gases (Group 0) have a full outer shell, so they are inert (unreactive)
- they are colourless, monatomic gases
- uses rely on inertness: helium (balloons), argon (bulbs), neon (signs)