Noble Gas
Noble gases are a group of chemical elements belonging to the 18th group of the periodic table. This group is also known as the group of inert gases because of their stable and unreactive nature. The noble gases are He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe, and Rn. They are called noble gases because they were once thought to be unable to form compounds due to their inert nature, and hence were considered to be noble or aristocratic.
Properties of Noble Gases
- Noble gases are odorless, colorless, and tasteless.
- They have low boiling and melting points.
- Noble gases have low densities as they are monatomic.
- They have very low reactivity due to their stable electronic configuration.
- Noble gases have a complete outermost shell of electrons, making them stable and unreactive.
- Their boiling points increase as we move down the group.
- Their ionization energy, or the energy required to remove an electron, also increases as we move down the group.
Uses of Noble Gases
- Neon is used in neon signs and fluorescent lamps.
- Helium is used in balloons, as a coolant for nuclear reactors and MRI machines, and in welding and cutting metals.
- Argon is used in welding, as a protective gas in the production of titanium and other reactive elements, and in lighting.
- Krypton and xenon are used in lighting, as a gas for filling incandescent and fluorescent lamps, and in flash photography.
- Radon is used in cancer treatment and as a tracer gas.
Noble Gases in the Atmosphere
Noble gases are present in the atmosphere in small quantities. Argon is the most abundant noble gas in the atmosphere, followed by helium, neon, krypton, and xenon. Radon is not present in the atmosphere as it is radioactive and decays quickly.
Noble Gases in the Universe
Noble gases are also present in the universe. Helium is the second most abundant element in the universe after hydrogen. Neon, argon, krypton, and xenon are also present in the universe, but in much smaller quantities.
In Conclusion
Noble gases are a unique group of chemical elements that have low reactivity and stable electronic configurations. They have various uses in different fields and are present in small quantities in the atmosphere and the universe.