Noble Gases (Cambridge O Level Chemistry)

The Noble Gases

• The noble gases are in Group VIII (or Group 0); they are non-metals and have very low melting and boiling points
• They are all monoatomic, colourless gases
• The Group 0 elements all have full outer shells
• This electronic configuration is extremely stable so these elements are unreactive and are inert
• Electronic configurations of the noble gases:
  • He: 2
  • Ne: 2,8
  • Ar: 2,8,8
  • Kr: 2,8,18,8
  • Xe: 2,8,18,18,8
  

Noble gases are inert (unreactive) as they have a full outer shell of electrons so do not easily lose or gain electrons