The Noble Gases The Noble Gases were discovered and characterized by William Ramsay in the late 19th century. The noble gases are found in group 0 or sometimes known as group 8. What does this tell us about the number of electrons in their outer shell The entire group has a valency of zero.

The Noble Gases e- e- e- e- e- e- e- e- e- e- e- No room at the inn! 7 e- e- No thanks I am pretty full! e- e- e- e- e- e- e- The noble gas atoms are very happy because they have a full outer shell of electrons. They don’t need to go off looking to bond with other atoms or molecules. They can exist quite happily by themselves. How many electrons can fit in the very first electron shell? 2 Helium has a full outer shell as it has 2 electrons, it has no room fro any more electrons. All the rest of the noble gases have 8 electrons in their outer shell, this means they are also too full to take on any more electrons. e- Do you need any more electrons? Room for a little one? Helium

monoatomic non-metal gases at room temperature. full electron shells low boiling points very stable do not combust or readily form compounds with other elements But we’re not useless!!! We’re unreactive!

Task  Watch and Learn

Helium Helium Proton number: 2 Atomic mass: 4 Uses: Used in balloons and airships. Is much less dense than air, so balloons filled with it float upwards. Helium

Neon NEON Proton number: 10 Atomic mass: 20 Uses: Used in advertising signs, it glows when electricity is passed through it. Different coloured neon lights can be made by coating the inside of the glass tubing of the lights with other chemicals. Neon Fastfood and in signs

Argon ARGON Proton number: 18 Atomic mass: 40 Uses: Used in light bulbs. The very thin metal filament inside the bulb would react with oxygen and burn away if the bulb were filled with air instead of argon. Argon stops the filament burning away because it is unreactive. Argon

Krypton KRYPTON Proton number: 36 Atomic mass: 84 Uses: Used in lasers Krypton lasers are used by surgeons to treat certain eye problems and to remove birthmarks Krypton

Xenon xenon Proton number: 54 Atomic mass: 131 Uses: WALT: describe the structure, properties and uses of the Noble gases xenon Proton number: 54 Atomic mass: 131 Uses: Xenon is used in flashlights and lamps and as a general anaesthetic, it is used in lasers. Xenon

Radon RADON Proton number: 86 Atomic mass: 222 Uses: Radon is extremely rare and has harmful radio-isotopes. It is used in some forms of aggressive cancer treatment. Radon

Task  Tell me all about it Read the information cards on Helium, Neon and Argon Then complete your table of properties

State (gas, liquid, solid) The Noble Gases Element Colour State (gas, liquid, solid) Boiling point Melting point Reactive? Uses Helium He Neon Ne Argon Ar

Plenary  Exam practice