Noble Gases (Cambridge International IGCSE Science)

Noble gases properties & electronic configuration

Spec point — Describe the Group VIII noble gases as unreactive, monatomic gases and explain this in terms of electronic configuration

• The noble gases are in Group VIII

The noble gases are located at the right of the Periodic Table

• The noble gases:

  • Are non-metals

  • Are monoatomic

    • This means that they are made of a single atom

  • Are colourless

  • Are gaseous

  • Have very low melting and boiling points

  • Are unreactive / inert

Why the noble gases are inert

• The Group VIII noble gases have full outer shells

• Electronic configurations of the noble gases:

  • He: 2
  • Ne: 2,8
  • Ar: 2,8,8
  • Kr: 2,8,18,8
  • Xe: 2,8,18,18,8

• This means that the noble gases have no need to gain or lose electrons

• These electronic configurations are extremely stable

• As a result, noble gases do not easily form bonds with other elements