NOBLE GASES

By:
Aashrith Vennelakanti
EE15B002
Index
1 Introduction 3
2 Physical and Atomic Properties of the Noble Gases 3
2.1 Electronic Configuration 3
2.2 Ionization Enthalpy 3
2.3 Electron Affinity 4
2.4 Basic Physical Properties 4
2.5 Melting and Boiling Points 4
2.6 Solubility in Water 4
3 The Noble Gases 4
3.1 Helium (He) 4
3.1.1 Applications of Helium 5
3.2 Neon (Ne) 5
3.2.1 Applications of Neon 5
3.3 Argon (Ar) 5
3.3.1 Applications of Argon 6
3.4 Krypton (Kr) 6
3.4.1 Applications of Krypton 6
3.5 Xenon (Xe) 6
3.5.1 Xenon Chemistry 7
3.5.2 Structures of Xenon Compounds 7
3.5.3 Applications of Xenon 8
3.6 Radon (Rn) 8
4 References 9
1 Introduction
The elements in the last column of the periodic table consist of the noble gases. Noble
gases belong to Group 18 or the Zero Group, which is the last column in the p-block. Noble
gases have their valence shells completely filled, hence they have extremely low reactivity.
The elements that are noble gases are helium (He), neon (Ne), argon (Ar), krypton (Kr),
xenon (Xe) and radon (Rn). Let us study the properties of these gases in some detail.

2 Physical and Atomic Properties of the Noble Gases

Below is a table giving the important physical and atomic properties of noble gases, along
with their electronic configurations.
Property He Ne Ar Kr Xe Rn*
Atomic Number 2 10 18 36 54 86
Atomic 4.00 20.18 39.95 83.80 131.30 222.00
Mass(g/mol)
Electronic 1s2 [He]2s22p6 [Ne]3s23p6 [Ar]3d104s24p6 [Kr]4d105s25p6 [Xe]4f145d106s26p6
Configuration
Atomic Radius 120 160 192 198 218 -
(pm)
Ionization 2372 2080 1520 1351 1170 1037
Enthalpy
(kJ/mol)
Electron Affinity 0 0 0 0 0 0
(kJ/mol)
Density (at STP) 1.810-4 9.010-4 1.810-3 3.710-3 5.910-3 9.710-3
(g/cm3)
Melting Point - 24.6 83.8 115.9 161.3 202
(K)
Boiling Point (K) 4.2 27.1 87.2 119.7 165.0 211
-4 -3 -4 -6
Atmospheric 5.2410 1.8210 0.934 1.1410 8.710 (0.06-18)10-23
Content (% by
volume)
* radioactive
Let us discuss trends in some of the physical and atomic properties of noble gases.

2.1 Electronic Configuration

All noble gases have the outer shell configuration of ns2np6 except Helium, which has 1s2 as
the configuration. Due to the completely filled outer shell, noble gases have extremely low
reactivity. The completely filled outer shell can explain more properties of noble gases.

2.2 Ionization Enthalpy

Due to the completely filled outer shell, the noble gases have very high ionization
enthalpies. However, the ionization enthalpy decreases down the group due to increase in
atomic size.
2.3 Electron Affinity
Due to the completely filled outer shell, the noble gases have little tendency to accept an
extra electron. Hence the electron affinity of noble gases is close to zero.

2.4 Basic Physical Properties

Noble gases are monoatomic, colourless, odourless and tasteless. They are sparingly
soluble in water and have very low melting and boiling points.

2.5 Melting and Boiling Points

The only force of interaction in noble gases is the weak dispersion force as the outer shell is
completely filled. Hence noble gases have very low melting and boiling points; however the
melting and boiling points increase down the group due to increase in atomic size, which
leads to greater dispersion force which leads to greater melting and boiling points.

2.6 Solubility in Water

The solubility of noble gases in water increases down the group due to increase in
dispersion forces. Radon is the most soluble noble gas.

3 The Noble Gases

Let us look into the noble gases in some more detail.

3.1 Helium (He)

Helium derives its name from the Greek god of the Sun, Helios. It was discovered in 1868 in
sunlight. It is the second lightest and the second most abundant element (both after
hydrogen) in the observable universe. Helium is relatively rare on Earth.
There are two forms of liquid helium, that are formed at extremely low temperatures -
Helium I and Helium II. Helium II is a superfluid and exhibits peculiar properties. Helium II
exhibits a creeping effect it can move along a surface against the force of gravity. When
helium II is in an open container, it creeps out of the container and evaporates.
The temperature below which helium I becomes helium II is called the lambda point.

A helium-filled discharge tube

shaped like helium's atomic Helium II creeping up the
symbol (He). The colour is due to surface of the inner container,
the excitation and deexcitation of till the levels in the inner and
electrons in the atoms. the outer container are equal.
3.1.1 Applications of Helium
As helium is light and non-inflammable, it is used in weather balloons.
Helium is used to cool gas-cooled nuclear reactors.
Liquid helium is used to attain low temperatures for cryogenic experiments.
Helium is used to maintain superconducting magnets used in NMR spectrometers and MRI
systems for clinical diagnosis.
Helium is used as a diluent for oxygen in modern diving apparatus due to its very low
solubility in blood.

3.2 Neon (Ne)

The word 'neon' is derived from the Greek word (neos, meaning 'new'). Neon was
discovered in 1898. It is the least reactive element in the periodic table. It has a reddish
glow when it is subject to voltage.

A neon sign in front of a hotel.

A neon-filled discharge tube
shaped like neon's atomic symbol
(Ne).
3.2.1 Applications of Neon
Neon is used in signs, like the one in the picture above.
Neon is used in vacuum tubes, television tubes and helium-neon lasers.

3.3 Argon (Ar)

The word 'argon' is derived from the Greek word (argos, meaning 'inactive'). Argon
was discovered in 1894. Argon is the most abundant noble gas on earth. It has a lilac/purple
glow when it is subject to voltage.

An argon-filled discharge tube

shaped like argon's atomic symbol
(Ar).
3.3.1 Applications of Argon
Argon is used in high temperature metallurgical processes like arc welding to provide an
inert atmosphere.
Argon is used to fill incandescent light bulbs to prevent the filament from getting oxidized
at high temperatures.
Argon is used for the creation of blue and green laser light.

3.4 Krypton (Kr)

The word 'krypton' is derived from the Greek word (kryptos, meaning 'the hidden
one'). Krypton was discovered in 1898. It has a white glow when it is subject to voltage.

A krypton-filled discharge tube

shaped like krypton's atomic
symbol (Kr).

Krypton difluoride (KrF2) was the first krypton compound synthesized.

3.4.1 Applications of Krypton

Krypton is used in some types of photographic flashes used in high speed photography.
Krypton is sometimes mixed with other gases to make luminous signs that have a greenish-
yellow glow.

3.5 Xenon (Xe)

The word 'xenon' is derived from the Greek word (xenos, meaning 'stranger'). Xenon
was discovered in 1898. It has a blue glow when it is subject to voltage.

A xenon-filled discharge tube

shaped like xenon's atomic symbol
(Xe).
 Xenon's ionization potential, 1170 kJ/mol, is close to that of molecular oxygen's ionization
potential, 1175 kJ/mol. So xenon is more reactive than the previous noble gases. The first
xenon compound synthesized was xenon hexafluoroplatinate, Xe+[PtF6]-.

3.5.1 Xenon Chemistry

Xenon forms compounds mainly with fluorine and oxygen, as flourine and oxygen are
poweful oxidizing agents and can easily oxidize xenon but only xenon fluorides can be
produced by addition reactions due to flourine being a stronger oxidizing agent and also
more electronegative, hence it can take electrons from xenon easily. Also xenon's atomic
radius is larger than that of the lighter noble gases hence the nucleus-electron interactions
are weaker, so it is easier for fluorine to take electrons from xenon.
Xenon forms three binary compounds with fluorine XeF 2, XeF4 and XeF6. The reactions for
the formation of the fluorides are given below.
Xe(g) + F2(g) XeF2(s) [Xe in excess, 673K, 1 bar]
Xe(g) + 2F2(g) XeF4(s) [Xe:F = 1:5, 873K, 7 bar]
Xe(g) + 3F2(g) XeF6(s) [Xe:F = 1:20, 573K, 60-70 bar]
XeF6 can be prepared by using O2F2 on XeF4 at 143K.
XeF4 + O2F2 XeF6 + O2
XeF2, XeF4 and XeF6 are colourless crystalline solids which easily sublime at 298K. Xenon
flourides are good fluorinating agents. For example,
XeF4 + Pt PtF4 + Xe
Xenon fluorides can also react with fluoride acceptors to form fluorocations and with
fluoride donors to form fluoroanions.
XeF2 + PF5 [XeF]+[PF6]-
XeF4 + AsF5 [XeF3]+[AsF6]-
XeF6 + MF M+[XeF7]- (M = Na, K, Rb, Cs)
Xenon flourides readily get hydrolyzed. XeF2 gets hydrolyzed to Xe gas, HF and oxygen.
2XeF2(s) + 2H2O(l) 2Xe(g) + 4HF(aq) + O2(g)
XeF4 and XeF6 get hydrolyzed to give XeO3 as one of the main products.
6XeF4 + 12H2O 4Xe + 2XeO3 + 24HF + 3O2
XeF6 + 3H2O XeO3 + 6HF
XeF6 can get partially hydrolyzed to give oxyfluorides XeOF4 and XeO2F2.
XeF6 + H2O XeOF4 + 2HF
XeF6 + 2H2O XeO2F2 + 4HF
XeO3 is a colourless explosive solid whereas XeOF4 is a colourless volatile liquid.

3.5.2 Structures of Xenon Compounds

Below are the structures of the xenon compounds mentioned in the previous section.
Compound Structure
XeF2

XeF4

XeF6

XeOF4

XeO2F2

XeO3

3.5.3 Applications of Xenon

Xenon is used in xenon flash lamps which are used in photographic flashes and
stroboscopic lamps.
Xenon is used as a general anesthetic.

3.6 Radon (Rn)

Radon was originally named niton after the Latin word for shining, nitens. Radon was
known by its current name since 1923. Radon was discovered in 1900. Radon is a
radioactive element and is obtained as a decay product of 226Ra.
226 222 4
88 Ra 86 Rn+ 2 He
4 References
1. NCERT Chemistry Textbook for Class XII
2. The Internet