Noble Gases
Part of the Atomic Structure section of Coddy's Chemistry journey. Lesson 35 of 45.
The noble gases, group 18, are colorless gases of single atoms that hardly react.
Full outer shells: nothing to gain, nothing to lose
They have a full outer shell: 2 for helium, 8 for the rest. They have no need to gain, lose or share electrons, and their ionization energies are the highest of their periods.
Being unreactive makes them useful: helium in balloons, argon in welding, neon in glowing signs. Only heavy ones like xenon react, with fluorine, in a lab.
Challenge
A lab needs a gas that will not react with anything. Among the first 20 elements, tap every atom whose outer shell is already full.
Try it yourself
Test yourselfThis lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.
All lessons in Atomic Structure
1Matter and Atoms
What Everything Is Made OfElements, Compounds, MixturesChemical SymbolsCounting Atoms in a FormulaRecap - Molecule Kit