GCSE Chemistry · Edexcel 1CH0 · Topic 6C
Group 0
Key points
- Noble gases (helium, neon, argon and others) are inert because they have a full outer shell of electrons (helium has 2), so they do not need to gain, lose or share electrons.
- They exist as single atoms (monatomic).
- Uses depend on low reactivity and low density: helium in balloons and airships; argon in filament lamps and welding to stop oxidation; neon in advertising signs.
- Boiling point and density increase down the group.
- Predict properties of a noble gas from the trend, e.g. xenon has a higher boiling point than argon.
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The Group 0 elements, the noble gases, are the most unreactive elements in the periodic table. Their lack of reactivity is easy to explain from their electron arrangements, and it is the reason they are so useful.
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