What are the noble gases in Group 0?

The noble gases in Group 0 are helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon.

The noble gases, also known as Group 0 elements, are located on the far right of the periodic table. This group includes six gases: helium (He), neon (Ne), argon (Ar), krypton (Kr), xenon (Xe), and radon (Rn). These gases are called 'noble' because they are very stable and unreactive due to having full electron shells. This means they rarely form compounds or react with other elements.

Helium, the lightest of the noble gases, has two electrons in its outer shell, while the rest have eight. This full outer shell gives them a stable configuration, making them inert or unreactive. They are colourless, odourless, tasteless, nonflammable gases under standard conditions.

Neon, argon, krypton, and xenon are obtained from the air by liquefaction and fractional distillation, while helium is typically extracted from natural gas, and radon is usually produced as a decay product of uranium or thorium.

In terms of their uses, noble gases have a wide range of applications. Helium, for example, is used in balloons and airships as it is lighter than air. Neon is used in advertising signs due to its ability to glow when an electric current is passed through it. Argon is used in light bulbs to prevent the hot tungsten filament from oxidising. Krypton and xenon have uses in specialised lighting and medical imaging, while radon is used in some forms of cancer treatment.

In summary, the noble gases are a unique group of elements with interesting properties and a wide range of uses. Their stability and unreactivity make them stand out in the periodic table.