12.9: Group VIIIA- Noble Gases
- Page ID
- 49516
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)The properties of the noble gases are summarized in the table below. The noble gases have a complete octet of electrons ns2np6 or just ns2 for helium, leaving them with little chemical reactivity. Sure enough,the ionization energies of He and Ne are greater than 2000 kJ mol–1, and it is unlikely that these noble gases will ever be induced to form chemical bonds. The same probably applies to Ar. Kr and especially Xe do form compounds though, which was discussed in the halogens section, and Rn might be expected to be even more reactive. Rn is radioactive, however, and study of its chemistry is difficult.
| Element | Symbol |
Electron Configuration |
Usual Oxidation State |
Radius/pm - Covalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helium | He | 1s2 | 0 |
... |
| Neon | Ne | [He]2s22p6 | 0 |
... |
| Argon | Ar | [Ne]3s23p6 | 0 |
... |
| Krypton | Kr | [Ar]4s23d104p6 | +2 |
110 |
| Xenon | Xe | [Kr]5s24d105p6 | +8, +6, +4, +2 | 130 |
| Symbol | Ionization Energy/MJ mol–1 |
Density/ g cm–3 |
Electro- negativity |
Melting Point (in °C) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | Second | ||||
| He | 2.379 | 5.257 | 0.179 | ... |
-272 |
| Ne | 2.087 | 3.959 | 0.901 | ... | -249 |
| Ar | 1.527 | 2.672 | 1.78 | ... | -190 |
| Kr | 1.357 | 2.374 | 3.74 | 2.6 | -157 |
| Xe | 1.177 | 2.053 | 5.86 | 2.4 | -112 |
Because of the lack of reactivity of the noble gases, they are often used when an nonreactive atmosphere is needed, such as in welding. Due to their low boiling points, noble gases are also cryogens in their liquid forms. One familiar use of helium is in balloons and blimps, since it is buoyant in the atmosphere, and unlike hydrogen, nonreactive. Another familiar use is as lighting in gas discharge lamps. Referred to popularly as neon lights, they can contain other noble gases, or mixtures of the gases.