What are the noble gases?
noble gases, sometimes referred to as inert gases, are elements that make up the 18th group of the periodic table. Elements in the periodic table groups tend to share many chemical properties. For example, noble gases usually lack any color or smell; are not flammable; And in most cases it is unlikely to enter chemical reactions. All these features apply specifically to normal temperature and pressure conditions, as different properties may occur in the conditions of extreme temperature or pressure. For example, at an extremely low temperature and high pressure, group 18 members become liquid and can be used as strong cryogenic refrigerant.
The first six noble gases in Group 18 are found in nature and some of them are among the most common elements of known person. Helium and Neon, the first two of the noble gases, are the second and fourth most common element in the known universe. Every consecutive noble gas has less prevailing in nature thanprevious. However, the amount of gases on Earth does not reflect their relative abundance in the rest of the known universe. For example, Helium is the second most common element in a well -known universe, but only the third most common noble gas in the Earth's atmosphere.
One of the most important properties of noble gases is low chemical reactivity proven in most conditions. The atomic features of Group 18 elements can be used to explain low reactivity. Each noble gases have a full valence shell, which basically means that all available electrons are taken. Atom with full valence electron shell does not have a special tendency to respond with other atoms or molecules because the reactions include sharing or replacement of electrons. Chemical reactions tend to occur because sharing or replacement of electrons brings atoms included closer in the "configuration of noble gas" with full valence shell -The noble gas already has such a configuration, so it is unlikely that it will not be chemically responding.
Many different scientific and industrial processes use different noble gases. For example, liquid helium and liquid neons exist at temperatures near absolute zero, so they can be used as powerful refrigeres for superconductors and other devices that only operate at low temperatures. Helium is also commonly mixed with gases used by breathing divers because human tissue is not easily absorbed because other gases such as nitrogen are. Noble gases are also used to ensure buoyancy and airships, to make lights and as part of powerful lasers.