CHAPTER 4

Group 18 Elements

Elements in Group 18


Group 18 elements are known as noble gases or inert gases. Group 18 elements consist of helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon and radon.

Noble Gases

Element Helium, He Neon, Ne Argon, Ar Krypton, Kr Xenon, Xe

Proton number 2 10 18 36 54

Electron arrangement of atom 2 2.8 2.8.8 2.8.18.8 2.8.18.18.8

The outermost occupied shell is full.

Physical properties


Noble gases exist as monoatomic gases (exist as single atom).

   

They are colorless gases at room temperature. They cannot dissolve in water They cannot conduct electricity and heat They have  Very small atomic sizes  Low melting and boiling point  Low densities

The inert property of Group 18 Elements



The outermost occupied shell of the atom of each element in Group 18 is full of electrons. Helium has 2 valence electrons. This is called the duplet electron arrangement. Neon, argon and other noble gases have 8 valence electrons. This is called the octet electron arrangement. (2.8, 2.8.8)

These electron arrangements are very stable. Therefore, noble gases are chemically unreactive or known as inert. They do not need to gain, lose or share electrons with other elements.

When going down Group 18,

1.


The atomic size increases.

This is because the number of occupied shells in the atom increases from helium to radon.

2.


The melting and boiling point increase.

This is because the atomic size increases down the group, the forces of attraction (Van der Waals forces) between the atoms of each element is stronger. Thus, more heat energy is required to overcome the stronger forces of attraction during melting or boiling.

When going down Group 18, (cont.)

3.


The density of element increases.

This is because of the increase in relative atomic mass is more than the increase in atomic size down the Group 18. Therefore, the ratios of relative atomic mass to atomic size increase down the group.

Uses of Group 18 elements



Helium gas is used to fill airships and weather balloons. The divers oxygen tank consist of a mixture of helium and oxygen. Liquid helium is used to cool metals into superconductors. Neon gas is used in advertising lights and television tubes. Argon gas is used to fill light bulbs. Krypton gas is used in lasers to repair the retina of the eye. It is also used to fill photographic flash lamps.

Alkali Metals

Elements in Group 1


The elements in Group 1 are lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, caesium and francium. They are also known as alkali metals which react with water to form alkaline solutions. All Group 1 elements have 1 valence electron in their outermost occupied shells.

Element Lithium, Li Sodium, Na Potassium, K Rubidium, Rb Caesium, Cs Francium, Fr

Proton number 3 11 19 37 55 87

Electron arrangement of atom 2.1 2.8.1 2.8.8.1 2.8.18.8.1 2.8.18.18.8.1 2.8.18.32.18.8.1

Physical properties
1.

2. 3.

4.

5.

All alkali metals are good conductors of heat and electricity. They are soft and can be cut easily with a knife. All alkali metals are grey in colour with silvery and shiny surfaces when freshly cut. They have low melting points and boiling points compared to heavy metals such as iron (1540 o C) They have low densities and float on water

Physical properties of alkali metals

Relative atomic mass 7 23 39 85.5 133 223 Atomic radius (nm) 0.152 0.186 0.227 0.248 0.265 0.270 Density (g dm-3) 0.53 0.97 0.86 1.53 1.90 2.40 Melting point (o C) 181 98 63 39 29 27 Boiling point (o C) 1342 883 759 688 671 677

Element Lithium Sodium Potassium Rubidium Caesium Francium

When going down Group 1,

1.


The atomic size increases.

This is because the number of shells occupied with electrons increases. As a result, the distance between the outermost shell occupied with electrons and the nucleus become further.

2.


The melting and boiling point decrease.

This is because the atomic size increases, the forces of attraction between the metal atoms become weaker. Thus, less heat energy is required to overcome the weak forces of attraction during melting or boiling.

When going down Group 1, (cont.)

3.


The density of element increases.

This is because of the increase in relative atomic mass is more than the increase in atomic size down the Group 18.

Chemical properties


All alkali metals have one valence electron. Therefore, they show similar chemical properties. During a chemical reaction, an atom of a group 1 element will lose the valence electron to form an ion with a charge of +1, thus achieving the stable duplet or octet electron arrangement.

Chemical properties (cont.)



The elements of Group 1 are very reactive metals. The reactivity of alkali metals increases down the group. The reactivity depends on how easily it can lose its valence electron. An atom which is easier to lose its valence electron is more reactive.

Chemical properties (cont.)

 

When going down Group 1, the atomic size increases. The single valence electron becomes further away from the nucleus. Hence, the force of attraction between the nucleus and the valence electron becomes weaker. As a result, it is easier for the atom to lose the single valence electron to achieve the octet or duplet electron arrangement. Therefore, the reactivity of Group 1 elements increases down the group.

Chemical reaction of Group 1

1.

React with cold water to produce alkaline metal hydroxide solutions and hydrogen gas.

2X (s) + 2H2O (l) 2XOH (aq) + H2 (g)

where X = Group 1 elements

Chemical reaction of Group 1

2.

React with oxygen gas to produce white solid metal oxides. The solid metal oxides formed can dissolve in water to form alkaline metal hydroxide solutions.

4X (s) + O2 (g) 2X2O(s) X2O (s) + H2O (l) 2XOH (aq)

where X = Group 1 elements

Chemical reaction of Group 1

3.

React with halogens (chlorine, bromine and iodine) to produce white solid metal halides.

2X (s) + Y2 (g) 2XY (s)

where X = Group 1 elements, Y = halogens