group 0

• Group 0

  The vertical column of non-metal elements on the far right of the periodic table, also called the noble gases
• Non-metal

  Element that is a poor conductor of electricity and heat, and which forms acidic oxides
• Element

  A substance made of one type of atom only
• Periodic table

  A tabular representation of all known elements in order based on atomic number, eg all the noble gases are found on the right of the periodic table
• Noble gases

  The elements in group 0 of the periodic table, named for their lack of chemical reactivity
• Atom

  The smallest part of an element that can exist
• Physical properties of the noble gases

  • They are all unreactive non-metal gases
  • Their uses depend on their inertness, low density and non-flammability
• Going down group 0

  • The atoms become larger
  • The intermolecular forces between the atoms become stronger
  • More energy is needed to overcome these forces
• Going down group 0

  The boiling point increases
• Going down group 0

  The density increases
• Helium has the lowest boiling point of any element
• Helium has the lowest density in group 0
• The actual boiling point of radon is -61.7°C
• Gases have widely spaced particles, so the noble gases have low densities
• Density is a measure of compactness and the ratio of mass to volume
• Noble gases

  The elements in group 0 of the periodic table, named for their lack of chemical reactivity
• Noble gases

  • Unreactive non-metal gases
  • Show trends in their physical properties
  • Their uses depend on their inertness, low density and non-flammability
• Atoms of noble gases already have complete outer shells, so they have no tendency to lose, gain, or share electrons
• Electronic configurations of elements in groups 1, 7 and 0

  • Group 1 atoms have incomplete outer shells (so they are reactive)
  • Group 7 atoms have incomplete outer shells (so they are reactive)
  • Group 0 atoms have complete outer shells (so they are unreactive)
• Properties of noble gases

  • Low densities
  • Inert, so not flammable
• Uses of noble gases

  • Helium used as lifting gas in party balloons and airships
  • Argon used as 'shield gas' when welding metal
• Filament lamps contain thin metal wires that become very hot and glow brightly when an electric current is passed through them
• Hot metal wires in filament lamps

  Will burn away if any oxygen from air is present in the lamp
• Argon, krypton and xenon are used in filament lamps to replace the air inside, preventing the metal wire from burning away