Group 0 noble gases

What you need to know

• Group 0 elements are called the noble gases and are unreactive because their atoms have stable electron arrangements.
• Noble gases do not easily form molecules.
• Noble gases have eight electrons in their outer shell, except helium, which has two.
• Boiling points increase with increasing relative atomic mass down Group 0.

The big picture

The elements in Group 0 are called the noble gases. Their atoms have stable arrangements of electrons, so they are unreactive and do not easily form molecules. Noble-gas atoms have eight electrons in their outer shell, except helium, which has two. Going down Group 0, boiling points increase as relative atomic mass increases.

From electrons to properties

Follow the link from outer-shell arrangement to the behaviour of Group 0 elements.

1. 1

   A stable arrangement

   Noble-gas atoms have stable arrangements of electrons, with eight electrons in the outer shell except helium, which has two.

2. 2

   Little reaction

   Because the electron arrangement is stable, the noble gases are unreactive.

3. 3

   Molecules rarely form

   The same stable arrangement means noble gases do not easily form molecules.

Reading the Group 0 trend

Use relative atomic mass to predict the direction of the boiling-point change.

Group 0 essentials

Learn the small set of terms that carries the whole topic.

Predict, then check

Use the trend before revealing the answer.

Noble gas P is lower down Group 0 and has a greater relative atomic mass than noble gas Q. Which prediction fits the Group 0 trend?

Memory hook

Stable shell, little reaction; down the group, mass and boiling point rise together.

Check yourself

Why are the noble gases unreactive, and what happens to their boiling points down the group?