Group 0 Elements

Group 0 elements are called the noble gases and include the elements helium, neon and argon(and a few others)
They all have eight electrons in their outer energy level, apart from helium which has two, giving them a full outer shell
As their outer shell is energetically stable they don’t need to give up or gain electrons to become more stable
- This means they are more or less inert-they don’t react with much at all
They exist as monatomic gases-single atoms not bonded to each other
All elements in Group 0 are colourless gases at room temperature
As the noble gases are inert they’re non flammable
- They won’t set on fire

The boiling point of the noble gases increase as you move down the group along with increasing relative atomic mass
- The increase in boiling point is due to an increase in the number of electrons in each atom leading to greater intermolecular forces between them which need to be overcome
In the exam you may be given the boiling point of one noble gas and asked to estimate the value for another one
- Neon is a gas at 25C. Predict what state helium is at this temperature
- Helium has a lower boiling point than neon as it is further up the group
- So, Helium must also be a gas at 25C