Group 0 Elements (Noble Gases)

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key properties, trends, and individual elements of Group 0 (noble gases).

Noble gases

Elements in Group 0 (helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, radon) characterized by full outer electron shells and extremely low reactivity.

Group 0

The far-right column of the periodic table that contains the noble gases.

Helium (He)

The lightest noble gas; its two electrons fill its outer shell, making it inert and nonflammable.

Neon (Ne)

Second noble gas; inert, colorless, and commonly used in luminous advertising signs.

Argon (Ar)

Third noble gas; inert, colorless, and often used as a shielding gas in welding.

Krypton (Kr)

Fourth noble gas; inert, used in high-intensity lighting and flash photography.

Xenon (Xe)

Fifth noble gas; inert, employed in flash lamps, high-intensity lamps, and ion propulsion.

Radon (Rn)

Heaviest naturally occurring noble gas; radioactive, colorless, and chemically inert.

Full outer shell

Electron configuration where the valence shell is complete (8 electrons, or 2 for helium), conferring stability.

Inert

Chemically unreactive due to a full valence shell; a defining property of noble gases.

Monoatomic gas

Gas composed of single, unbonded atoms; all noble gases exist as monoatomic gases at room temperature.

Colorless gas

Gas with no visible color; noble gases are colorless under standard conditions.

Nonflammable

Unable to ignite or burn; noble gases are nonflammable because they do not readily react with oxygen.

Boiling-point trend in noble gases

Boiling points increase from helium to radon owing to greater atomic mass and stronger intermolecular forces.

Intermolecular forces in noble gases

Weak London dispersion forces that become stronger with more electrons, explaining the rise in boiling point down the group.