Lecture on Noble Gases

Overview

• Noble gases are group 18 elements: Helium, Neon, Argon, Krypton, Xenon, and Radon.
• Known for having a full valence shell of electrons.
  • Helium has 2 valence electrons.
  • Other noble gases have 8 valence electrons.
• Previously considered inert due to their stability.
• Today, known as noble gases due to some ability to form compounds.

Properties

• Noble gases are colorless and monatomic (exist as single atoms).
• Moving down the group:
  • Number of electron shells increases.
  • Boiling points increase due to stronger intermolecular forces with larger atoms.
  • Density increases as larger atoms take up more space in a set volume.
• Very stable and hardly reactive.

Uses

Helium

• Fills party balloons; less dense than air, causing them to float.
• Used in airships.

Neon

• Emits bright orange light when an electrical current is passed through it.
  • Used in neon signs.

Argon

• Used in light bulbs.
  • Does not react with tungsten filament.

Krypton

• Used in some types of lasers and flat panel display manufacturing.
• Acts as a filler in double glazing for insulation.

Xenon

• Used in car headlights, increasing road safety by producing bright light.
• Applied in medicine as a natural anesthetic, maintaining blood pressure and heart rate.
• Used in space industry as a propellant for steering satellites.

Radon

• Highly radioactive.
• Utilized in radiotherapy for cancer treatment.

Summary

• Noble gases' main characteristic is stability.
• Their unique properties allow for diverse applications in everyday life and industry.