Group 0 elements have quite a few names: the noble gases, Group 18 and even Group 0. These elements are a fascinating part of the even more fascinating Periodic Table of the Elements. Read on for a quick introduction to the ‘unreactive’ elements of Group 0.
Group 0 gases are called the noble gases. You can find them in the image of the Periodic Table of the Elements below. The elements included in this group, alongside their sysmbols and relative atomic masses are listed here: helium (He-4), neon (Ne-20), argon (Ar-40), krypton (Kr-84), xenon (Xe-131), and radon (Rn-222).
What do they do?
We use these noble gases everyday, even without noticing it! Neon is used in advertising signs. Argon is used in light bulbs. Helium is used in balloons and to cool things down. Xenon is used in headlights for new cars. They are also used often in scientific laboratories to stablize reactions.
Interestingly, the original Periodic Table that Dmitri Mendeleev first published in 1869 did not include this group as they had not been all discovered yet. These elements are highly unreactive. You may be wondering why this is so. Firstly, we need to understand their electronic structures.
Electronic Structure
All atoms are stable when their outer energy shells are full, like in the case of the Helium atom below. Helium has only one energy shell that can fit only 2 electrons. Since helium contains only 2 electrons, it is stable.
Why are they unreactive?
Atoms react to form stable, full outer shells. Since, if you look closely, you can tell that the noble gases’ shells are all full, they don’t need to react. Thus, they do not and are unreactive. For example, in Neon, there are 10 electrons: 2 of which in the first energy shell, 8 of which in the second energy shell. You may know that the maximum number of electrons in the second shell is 8. Therefore, there is no more space for more electrons and Neon is unreactive. The same goes for all noble gases. They all have full outer shells so are all unreactive.
How do the boiling points vary as you travel through the noble gases?
As you go down the group of noble gases, the boiling point increases. As you go down the group, the noble gases’ masses also increase. Helium, which has a relative atomic mass of 4, has the lowest boiling point of all the noble gases (since it has the lowest relative atomic mass) at -269 degrees Celsius and Radon, which has a relative atomic mass of 222, has the highest boiling point of all the noble gases (since it has the highest relative atomic mass) at -62 degrees Celsius.
By: Hemlata Pant
Sources:
Andrew Rader Studios. “Chem4Kids.Com: Elements & Periodic Table: Noble Gases.” Copyright © 1997-2018 by Andrew Rader Studios, All Rights Reserved., www.chem4kids.com/files/elem_noblegas.html. Accessed 6 Aug. 2020.
“GCSE Science Revision Chemistry ‘Group 0.’” YouTube, uploaded by Freesciencelessons, 1 Nov. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?
v=VhiieTJWYHs&list=PL9IouNCPbCxULWXCO9jt0PsuAbxYpw2_1&index=14&t=0s.
“Physical Properties of the Noble Gases - Group 0 - the Noble Gases - Edexcel - GCSE Chemistry (Single Science) Revision - Edexcel.” BBC Bitesize, www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zgkdsrd/revision/1. Accessed 6 Aug. 2020.
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