FC 1.6 PA 55 Noble gases Teacher Version

Prescriptive Activities: Facet Cluster 1.6: PF#55 Teacher Page Prescriptive #55:
55 The student thinks that noble gases normally will form bonds. Materials:
Student handout
Background: Noble gases Helium Helium is the 2nd most abundant element in the universe Neon Argon Krypton Neon is most Argon is a Krypton emits commonly common gas a bright white used in signs used in lasers light when a strong electric current is passed through it Xenon Radon Xenon ion drive engines propel spacecraft on deep space missions Radon is a radioactive highly toxic gas The six noble gas elements are all very stable and chemically nonreactive. They do not undergo chemical reactions and thus do not form bonds with other elements. This is the case because they each have a full outer shell containing 8 electrons, except for helium which has only one energy level which is full with two electrons. Despite the fact that Helium (He) is the second most abundant element in the universe, after hydrogen, there are no known compounds containing helium. Similarly there are no known compounds containing neon (Ne). Even though argon (Ar) is the third most abundant gas in our atmosphere, (after nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2)), there are no naturally occurring compounds containing argon. Argon fluorohydride (HArF), a marginally stable compound, has been synthesized in a laboratory. In other labs, compounds containing krypton (Kr) and xenon (Xe) have been synthesized using high energy ultraviolet radiation or very high temperatures. However, under normal conditions these elements do not form bonds. Prescriptive Activities: Facet Cluster 1.6: PF#55 Teacher Page Directions of Activity:
1. Draw a representation of a helium atom showing its protons and electrons. Indicate the
energy levels for the electrons.
2. Draw a representation of a neon atom showing its protons and electrons. Indicate the
energy levels for the electrons.
3. Draw a representation of an argon atom showing its protons and electrons. Indicate the
energy levels for the electrons.
4. Draw a representation of a chlorine atom showing its protons and electrons. Indicate the
energy levels for the electrons.
5. Chlorine forms thousands of compounds by bonding with different elements. Explain why
chlorine can easily form compounds, whereas the noble gases are stable without bonding.

Download Report