The noble gases are a group of chemical elements in Group 18 of the periodic table. These elements are known for being colorless, odorless, and inert, meaning they do not easily react with other elements. The six main noble gases... Read More
The noble gases are a group of chemical elements in Group 18 of the periodic table. These elements are known for being colorless, odorless, and inert, meaning they do not easily react with other elements. The six main noble gases are helium (He), neon (Ne), argon (Ar), krypton (Kr), xenon (Xe), and radon (Rn).
Among these, helium is the lightest noble gas. It has an atomic number of 2 and an atomic mass of approximately 4 atomic mass units (amu). Helium is lighter than all the other noble gases because it has only two protons and two neutrons, giving it the smallest mass in the group.
Helium is widely used in balloons, airships, and scientific applications due to its low density and non-reactive nature. Unlike hydrogen, which is even lighter but highly reactive, helium is stable and safe, making it the preferred choice for filling balloons and for cryogenic experiments.
The other options listed in the question are incorrect:
Nitrogen and oxygen are not noble gases; they belong to the non-metal group and have higher atomic masses.
Hydrogen is the lightest element in the periodic table, but it is not a noble gas and is chemically reactive under certain conditions.
Understanding helium as the lightest noble gas helps students grasp important chemistry concepts such as atomic structure, periodic trends, and the properties of inert gases. Helium’s low density, stability, and position in the periodic table make it a unique and important element in both scientific and everyday applications.
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