1.2.4 Group 0: The Noble Gases

Uses of the Noble Gases

Here are some of the main uses of the noble gases:

Helium is used:

• In balloons.

• In the mixture of gases deep-sea divers breathe.

• In its liquid state, to cool the superconducting magnets in body scanners. Neon is used:

• In electric discharge tubes (used in advertising signs). Argon is used:

• Inside light bulbs.

• In welding, to stop the hot metal oxidizing. Krypton is used:

• In lasers used to operate on eyes. Radon is used:

• To treat cancers (its radioactive atoms destroy cells).

  

Why Are the Noble Gases So Unreactive?

The noble gases were originally called the inert gases. The word 'inert' describes a substance that has no reactions.

However, in 1962, the first compound containing a noble gas was made, and the group was later renamed!

Electronic Structure of the Noble Gases:

• The noble gases have a complete highest energy level (full outer shell), which makes the atoms of a noble gas so stable and unlikely to react.
• There are only a few compounds of noble gases, mainly formed with the reactive elements fluorine and oxygen, and then only with the larger noble gases.