Lecture 6 – Group VIII: Inert or Nobel Gases

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

Figure (respectively)	Source of Figure
Figure 1	http://woodsideflowers.je/
Figure 2	http://www.lookchem.com/
Figure 3	http://cac07science.wikispaces.com/
Figure 4	http://www.plasmaglow.com/xenon-headlight-bulbs/

Group VIII: Nobel or Inert Gases

1. Group VIII consist of inert gases with their outermost or valence shell completely filled.
2. They are unreactive in nature, as their electronic configuration is stable and their valence shell is filled. Hence, the name Noble or Inert.
3. They exist as monoatomic gases.
4. The boiling points of these gases increases down the group.
5. Their inert nature allows them to have a wide range of industrial uses.

Table 3: Uses of Noble/Inert Gases:

Inert/Noble Gas	Symbol	Use(s)	Images:
Helium	He	Helium Balloons
Neon	Ne	Neon lights
Argon	Ar	·        Argon lights ·        Manufacture of steel
Krypton/Xenon	Kr/Xe	Headlights