Among the characteristics of the most important noble gases are that they are gaseous elements, do not interact with other elements, have a full valence shell, are rare in nature (their level of presence on planet Earth is low) and create fluorescence.
The group of noble gases is one of the 18 groups in which the periodic table is divided. It is composed of six elements, helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon and radon.
Neon, argon, krypton and xenon are found in the air and can be obtained through liquefaction and fractional distillation.
For its part, helium is obtained through the cryogenic separation of natural gas. Finally, radon is produced from the radioactive decay of other heavier elements (such as radium, uranium, among others).
Next, these and other properties of the noble gases will be studied in depth.
Table of Contents
1- Noble gases do not usually interact with other elements
Noble gases have a low level of reactivity, which means that they basically do not interact with other elements. Naturally, there are a few exceptions, such as xenon tetrafluoride (XeF 4 ).
This compound is produced by heating to 400 ° C a mixture of xenon and fluorine in a ratio of 1 to 5 within a nickel container.
Due to its low interaction with other elements, noble gases are also called “inert gases”.
However, this name is not completely accurate, so it has fallen into disuse in recent decades.
2- They have a full valence shell
The elements are composed of one or more layers of electrons. The last of these layers is called the valence layer and is the one that intervenes in the creation of bonds and chemical reactions.
The elements reach their stability by having two or eight electrons in their last layer. If this condition is not present, the elements will join others to achieve stability.
The electronic configuration of the noble gases is the following:
- Helio: 1s2
- Neon: 1s2 2s2 2p6
- Argon: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6
- Krypton: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6
- Xenon: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s2 5p6
- Radon 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s2 5p6 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p6
Neon, argon, krypton, xenon and radon have eight electrons in their last layer. For its part, helium has two electrons.
In this sense, noble gases have a full valence shell. This is why under normal circumstances, these elements do not form links.
3- Conduct electricity
The six elements belonging to the group of noble gases conduct electricity. However, his driving level is low.
4- They can produce phosphorescence
The noble gases have the property of being phosphorescent when they are crossed by electricity. That is why they are used in lights, bulbs, headlights, among others.
– The neon is used in advertisements in the famous neon lights. Creates a red phosphorescent light.
– Argon is used in regular bulbs. In the light bulbs, the oxygen present in the atmosphere can react with the metal filament causing the latter to burn.
To be inert, the use of argon guarantees the creation of an inert environment, which prevents the combustion of the metal filament.
– Xenon has the property of offering a continuous spectrum of light, which resembles daylight. This is why it is used in xenon lamps, which are used in filmographic projectors and in the headlights of cars.
– Krypton produces a bright light when it is crossed by direct current. This is used in surgical lasers that are used to cure certain eye conditions and to remove birthmarks.
– Both xenon and krypton are used in flash units of cameras.
– Helium is used in bulbs and in less quantity in billboards
– Radon, due to its radioactive quality, is not usually used for these purposes.
5- Group 0
The noble gases had not been discovered when Mendelev organized the periodic table, so they did not have a place in the periodic table.
These elements were discovered by Henry Cavendish in the eighteenth century, when he removed nitrogen and oxygen from a portion of air. However, this did not classify them.
It was not until the nineteenth century that these elements were studied and classified.
– In the year 1868, helium was discovered.
– Then to the year 1894, argon was discovered.
– Finally in the year 1900, radon was discovered.
Because the oxidation number of the noble gases is equal to 0, these were organized in the periodic table under the name of “zero group”.
However, in 1962 it was discovered that these elements did react with others (under exceptional conditions).
Then, taking into account the conventions of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC, for its acronym in English), were renamed as group 18.
Currently, they can be found in the periodic table under the name of Group VIIIA.
6- Stabilizers
Due to their almost inert quality, noble gases are used to create stability in quick reactions.
7- Low melting point and low boiling point
The noble gases have really low melting and boiling points.
References
- Noble gas properties. Retrieved on July 17, 2017, from thoughtco.com
- Noble gas Retrieved on July 17, 2017, from sciencedaily.com
- The noble gases group. Retrieved on July 17, 2017, from boundless.com
- Group 18 elements. Retrieved on July 17, 2017, from byjus.com
- Characteristics of Noble Gases. Retrieved on July 17, 2017, from chemistry.tutorvista.com
- Properties of noble gases. Retrieved on July 17, 2017, from bbc.co.uk
- Group 18: Properties of Noble Gases. Retrieved on July 17, 2017, from chem.libretexts.org
- Chemistry Retrieved on July 17, 2017, from ck12.org.
