Uses of Noble Gases

Explain how the uses of noble gases depend on their inertness, low density, and/or non-flammability.

Choosing a gas for a job

The noble gases are in Group 0 of the periodic table. They are chemically inert, meaning that they react very little with other substances. They are also : they do not burn. These properties make them useful where a gas must not react with materials around it or create a fire risk. A particular use may also depend on a gas’s .

Uses and properties

Helium in balloons and airships: low density provides lift; non-flammability avoids the fire risk of hydrogen.
Argon in filament bulbs and welding: inertness protects hot materials from reacting with oxygen in the air.

For each use, name the property and state what it enables or prevents.

Link each use to a specific property and explain how that property makes the gas suitable.

For helium balloons, give both reasons: helium is less dense than air and, unlike hydrogen, is non-flammable.

A gas that does not burn.

Very unlikely to take part in chemical reactions.

Mass per unit volume; a less dense gas has less mass in the same volume.

A gas that does not burn.

Very unlikely to take part in chemical reactions.

Mass per unit volume; a less dense gas has less mass in the same volume.

What you need to know

Choosing a gas for a job

Helium in balloons and airships

Argon around hot materials

Uses and properties

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Key terms(3)

Key terms(3)