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Chapter 3: Problem 15

What properties do the elements in Group 18 (the noble gases) have in common? How do they react with other elements? Which of these elements is radioactive in nature? Which of these elements is used in modern balloons? What is the advantage of using this element instead of hydrogen? What is the disadvantage?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Noble gases are non-reactive, with Radon being radioactive. Helium is used in balloons for safety but is scarce.

Step by step solution

01

Identify Group 18 Elements

Group 18 elements, also known as noble gases, include Helium (He), Neon (Ne), Argon (Ar), Krypton (Kr), Xenon (Xe), and Radon (Rn). These elements share common characteristics due to their position in the periodic table.
02

Identify Common Properties

Noble gases are colorless, odorless, and tasteless in their gaseous state. They have a complete outer electron shell, making them highly stable and mostly non-reactive under standard conditions.
03

Reaction with Other Elements

Noble gases are known for their lack of reactivity due to their complete valence electron shell. However, in specific conditions, some can form compounds, like Xenon fluorides.
04

Identify the Radioactive Element

Among the noble gases, Radon (Rn) is radioactive. It is a decay product of uranium and is known for its health hazards due to radioactivity.
05

Identify the Element Used in Balloons

Helium is commonly used in modern balloons. Due to its lower density than air, balloons filled with helium float.
06

Advantages of Using Helium

The main advantage of using helium in balloons instead of hydrogen is safety. Helium is non-flammable, whereas hydrogen is highly flammable, posing a fire risk.
07

Disadvantage of Using Helium

A disadvantage of using helium is its scarcity and non-renewable nature. Helium is a finite resource, becoming more expensive and less available compared to hydrogen.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Group 18 Elements
The elements found in Group 18 of the periodic table are known as noble gases. These include Helium (He), Neon (Ne), Argon (Ar), Krypton (Kr), Xenon (Xe), and Radon (Rn). These gases are characterized by their stable and complete outer electron shell. This full electron shell configuration is what makes them extremely stable and largely non-reactive.

Their common physical properties include being colorless, odorless, and tasteless when in their gaseous form. Because of their stability, noble gases rarely engage in chemical reactions. However, under certain conditions, some noble gases like Xenon can form compounds, such as Xenon hexafluoroplatinate.

  • Colorless, odorless, and tasteless.
  • Non-reactive due to a complete valence shell.
  • Exist naturally in the atmosphere in small amounts.
Helium Properties
Helium is perhaps the most well-known of the noble gases, prized for its unique properties. Helium is lighter than air, which makes it ideal for use in balloons. It is completely non-flammable, unlike hydrogen, which makes it a much safer choice for applications in balloons and airships.

Besides its use in balloons, helium is used in cryogenics, as a cooling medium for nuclear reactors and MRI machines, and even in breathing gas mixtures for deep-sea diving. Helium's low boiling point and non-reactive nature make it indispensable in many scientific and medical applications.

  • Lighter than air, allowing balloons to float.
  • Non-flammable, making it safe for use in public areas.
  • Used in scientific and medical fields due to its stability.
Radon Radioactivity
Radon is the only radioactive member of the noble gases group. It is produced by the natural decay of uranium and thorium in the Earth's crust. Being radioactive, it poses health risks, particularly as it may accumulate in homes built over sources of uranium. Long-term exposure to radon is a known risk factor for lung cancer.

Due to its hazardous nature, careful monitoring and mitigation measures are necessary, especially in places where radon is likely to seep from the ground into the living spaces. Radon is colorless, making it difficult to detect without special equipment.

  • Radioactive decay product of uranium.
  • Poses significant health risks, leading to lung cancer risk.
  • Detection and ventilation are key in managing risks associated with radon.
Helium vs Hydrogen
Although both helium and hydrogen are lighter than air, there are significant differences in their properties and uses. The primary advantage of using helium instead of hydrogen in balloons is safety, as helium is non-flammable. Hydrogen, while lighter and more buoyant, is extremely flammable, which can pose a significant safety risk in the event of a spark or flame.

However, helium is not without its downsides. Helium is a finite resource, and its availability is diminishing, leading to increased costs. This scarcity makes helium a more expensive option compared to hydrogen, which is more abundant and can be produced relatively easily.

  • Helium is non-flammable, providing a safer option for balloons.
  • Hydrogen is lighter but highly flammable and risky.
  • Helium scarcity drives up costs; hydrogen is more readily available.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

What properties do the elements in Group 17 (the halogens) have in common? How do they react with potassium, strontium, and aluminum? Which reacts the most vigorously with these? Which is the only halogen that forms known compounds with xenon and krypton?

Balance the equation \(\begin{aligned} \mathrm{HCl}(a q)+\mathrm{As}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}(s)+& \mathrm{NaNO}_{3}(a q)+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l) \rightarrow \\ & \mathrm{NO}(g)+\mathrm{H}_{3} \mathrm{AsO}_{4}(a q)+\mathrm{NaCl}(a q) \end{aligned}\)

Radon is a radioactive noble gas that has been used as a tracer in detecting gas leaks. Radon occurs naturally as a decay product of uranium and is sometimes concentrated in the basements of homes, where it constitutes a health hazard because of its carcinogenic character. Predict from its position in the periodic table the following properties of radon: (a) color (b) odor (c) formula of gaseous radon (d) reaction with water

Balance the following chemical equations: (a) \(\mathrm{KHF}_{2}(s) \rightarrow \mathrm{KF}(s)+\mathrm{H}_{2}(g)+\mathrm{F}_{2}(g)\) (b) \(\mathrm{C}_{3} \mathrm{H}_{8}(g)+\mathrm{O}_{2}(g) \rightarrow \mathrm{CO}_{2}(g)+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l)\) (c) \(\mathrm{P}_{4} \mathrm{O}_{10}(s)+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l) \rightarrow \mathrm{H}_{3} \mathrm{PO}_{4}(l)\) (d) \(\mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{4}(g) \rightarrow \mathrm{NH}_{3}(g)+\mathrm{N}_{2}(g)\)

Balance the following chemical equations: (a) \(\mathrm{CaH}_{2}(s)+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l) \rightarrow \mathrm{Ca}(\mathrm{OH})_{2}(a q)+\mathrm{H}_{2}(g)\) (b) \(\mathrm{CaCO}_{3}(s)+\mathrm{HCl}(a q) \rightarrow\) \(\mathrm{CaCl}_{2}(a q)+\mathrm{CO}_{2}(g)+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l)\) (c) \(\mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{12} \mathrm{O}_{2}(a q)+\mathrm{O}_{2}(g) \rightarrow \mathrm{CO}_{2}(g)+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l)\) (d) \(\mathrm{Li}(s)+\mathrm{CO}_{2}(g)+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l) \rightarrow \mathrm{LiHCO}_{3}(s)+\mathrm{H}_{2}(g)\)
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