Noble Gas – Introduction to fundamental concepts of Biological Science including the organization and common characteristics of living matters, cell structures and functions, food production by photosynthesis, harvesting energy, mechanism of cells reproduction, genetics, evolutions, and Human Biology. Introduction to general chemistry including basic concepts about matter, atomic structure, chemical bonds, gases, liquid, and solids, solutions, chemical reactions, acid, bases, and salt;
organic and biochemistry including hydrocarbons and their derivatives, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals, nucleic acids; principles of physics and applications to nursing including gravity and mechanics, pressure, heat and electricity; nuclear chemistry and nuclear physics, effects of radiation on human beings, and protection and disposal. The aim of the course is to acquire knowledge and skills in general biological science, general chemistry and physics.
Noble Gas
Definition of Noble Gas:
The noble gases make up a group of chemical elements with similar properties; under standard conditions, they are all odorless, colorless, monatomic gases with very low chemical reactivity. The six noble gases that occur naturally are –
1. Helium (He)
2. Neon (Ne)
3. Argon (Ar)
4. Krypton (Kr)
5. Xenon (Xe)
6. Radon (Rn)
Physical and Atomic Properties of Noble Gas
| Property | Helium | Neon | Argon | Krypton | Xenon | Radon |
| Density (g/dm³) | 0.1786 | 0.9002 | 1.7818 | 3.708 | 5.851 | 9.97 |
| Boiling point (K | 4.4 | 27.3 | 87.4 | 121.5 | 166.6 | 211.5 |
| Melting point (K) | 0.95 (AT 25 bar) | 24.7 | 83.6 | 115.8 | 161.7 | 202.2 |
| Enthalpy of vaporization (kJ/mol) | 0.08 | 1.74 | 6.52 | 9.05 | 12.65 | 18.1 |
| Solubility in water at 20 °C (cm³/kg) | 8.61 | 10.5 | 33.6 | 59.4 | 108.1 | 230 |
| Atomic number | 2 | 10 | 18 | 36 | 54 | 86 |
| Atomic radius (calculated) (pm) | 31 | 38 | 71 | 88 | 108 | 120 |
| Ionization energy (kJ/mol) | 2372 | 2080 | 1520 | 1351 | 1170 | 1037 |
| Allen electronegativity | 4.16 | 4.79 | 3.24 | 2.97 | 2.58 | 2.6 |
Uses of Noble Gases
The very inertness of the noble gases is an important feature of their practical uses.
Helium
- The low density of helium is made use of in filling airships and balloons. Helium is much less dense than air (lighter) and used in filling weather balloons, airships and decorative balloons,
- Because helium is unreactive, it is used to provide an inert protective atmosphere in the manufacture of fibre optics and semi-conductors.
Neon
- Neon is used in advertising signs also known as neon-signs. Neon glows a reddish orange colour when electricity is passed through it in a vacuum discharge tube. Only red signs contain pure neon. Other signs contain different gases and a chemical coating on the inside of the glass tubing of the lights.
Argon
- Argon is used to provide an inert protective atmosphere in the production of titanium and other reactive elements. It is also used to provide an inert protective shield around the hot metal when welding.
- Argon is used in incandescent light bulbs instead of air as it will not react with the tungsten filament even when it is white hot.
Xenon
- Xenon is used in fluorescent bulbs, flash bulbs and lasers. Xenon emits an instant, intense light when present in discharge tubes. This property of xenon is utilized in high-speed electronic flash bulbs used by photographers
Radon
- Radon is radioactive and is used in medicine as a source of gamma rays. The gas is sealed in small capsules, which are implanted in the body to destroy malignant (e.g., cancerous) growths.
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