For many years it was thought that the Group 0 elements were completely unreactive - OCR Gateway - GCSE Chemistry: Combined Science - Question 15 - 2022 - Paper 1
Question 15
For many years it was thought that the Group 0 elements were completely unreactive.
However, more recently, scientists have been able to react some of the Group 0 e... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:For many years it was thought that the Group 0 elements were completely unreactive - OCR Gateway - GCSE Chemistry: Combined Science - Question 15 - 2022 - Paper 1
Step 1
Give a reason why the Group 0 elements are usually described as unreactive.
96%
114 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Group 0 elements are usually described as unreactive because they have a full outer electron shell, which stabilizes them and prevents them from readily forming bonds with other elements.
Step 2
Give a reason why scientists have used fluorine to make compounds of the Group 0 elements.
99%
104 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Scientists have used fluorine to make compounds of the Group 0 elements because fluorine is highly electronegative and can react with certain noble gases, such as xenon and argon, despite their general reactivity.
Step 3
Suggest the structure of xenon difluoride, XeF₂.
96%
101 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
The structure of xenon difluoride, XeF₂, is linear, with the xenon atom at the center bonded to two fluorine atoms with bonds at a 180° angle.
Step 4
Give two reasons for your answer in (c)(i).
98%
120 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
The XeF₂ molecule has three lone pairs of electrons on the xenon atom, which repel the bonded pairs of electrons and adopt a linear geometry.
The linear structure helps to minimize electron pair repulsion, thus stabilizing the molecule.
Step 5
Describe how the trend in reactivity of the Group 0 elements is linked to the size of the atoms.
97%
117 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
The trend in reactivity of the Group 0 elements is linked to the size of the atoms because larger noble gas atoms have more electron shells, which can reduce the effective nuclear charge felt by valence electrons. This may allow larger noble gases, like xenon, to react under specific conditions, while smaller ones, such as helium and neon, remain largely inert.
Join the GCSE students using SimpleStudy...
97% of Students
Report Improved Results
98% of Students
Recommend to friends
100,000+
Students Supported
1 Million+
Questions answered
Other GCSE Chemistry: Combined Science topics to explore
