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Noble Gases

Chemistry: Edexcel IGCSE, topic 4.1.4

Noble Gases (Group 0) - Properties

A noble gas is an element found in Group 0. All noble gases have similar properties.

Inert

Inert

  • The elements in Group 0 are unreactive because they have a full outer electron shell. They do NOT gain or lose electrons to fill up this shell as it is already full.
  • Noble gases can be used in light bulbs because they will NOT react with the hot metal filament.
Monatomic

Monatomic

  • Because noble gases are unreactive, they exist as single atoms (monatomic) instead of forming molecules.
Low boiling point

Low boiling point

  • The noble gases have low boiling points.
  • But their boiling points do increase as you move down the periodic table. This is because the relative atomic mass increases lower down the periodic table.
Low density

Low density

  • The noble gases (in group 0) have low densities.
  • Their densities do increase as you move down the periodic table because of their increasing relative atomic mass.
  • This low density makes them useful in balloons.

Test yourself on Noble Gases

  • Which of the following are noble gases?

  • Why does density increase as we move down group 0 of the periodic table?

  • Neon is lower down the periodic table than Helium. Therefore, neon has a....

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