AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462), Higher tier · Atomic structure and the periodic table › The periodic table
Practise Group 0. 11 exam-style questions on this subtopic, at up to four difficulty levels, with full mark schemes and a progress tracker. Free, no account needed.
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Group 0 is the last group in the periodic table. What name is given to the elements in Group 0?
the noble gases
The elements in Group 0 are called the noble gases. Name the noble gas with the smallest atomic number.
helium
Sample questions
Written for this site in the style of AQA exam questions. They are not taken from real past papers.
Question 1Easy4 marks
Group 0 is the last group in the periodic table.
(a) What name is given to the elements in Group 0?[1]
(b) Explain why the elements in Group 0 are unreactive.[1]
(c) How many electrons are in the outer shell of a helium atom?[1]
(d) Which is the formula of argon gas? Tick (✓) one box.[1]
Ar
Ar2
Ar4
Ar8
Show the answer and mark scheme
(a)Answer: the noble gases
noble gases
(b)Answer: Their atoms have a stable arrangement of electrons / a full outer shell.
(atoms have a) full outer shell / stable arrangement of electrons
(c)Answer: 2
2
(d)Answer: Ar
Question 2Medium3 marks
Hydrogen and helium are both less dense than air, so either gas could be used to fill an airship. Densities at room temperature: hydrogen 0.08 g/dm3, helium 0.17 g/dm3, air 1.2 g/dm3. Hydrogen burns explosively in air. Helium is a noble gas.
Evaluate the use of hydrogen and helium to fill passenger airships.[3]
Show the answer and mark scheme
Answer: Hydrogen is less dense so gives slightly more lift, but it can burn explosively; helium is unreactive because its atoms have a full outer shell, so it is much safer. Helium is the better choice because safety matters more than the small difference in lift.
hydrogen is less dense than helium, so it would give (slightly) more lift
hydrogen is flammable / burns explosively, so it is dangerous if there is a spark or flame
helium does not burn / is unreactive, so it is much safer
helium is unreactive because its atoms have a stable arrangement of electrons / a full outer shell
judgement: helium is the better choice for passenger airships, because safety matters more than the small difference in lift
Question 3Hard7 marks
The noble gases are all unreactive, but their physical properties change down the group.
(a) Explain why the noble gases exist as single atoms rather than as molecules.[2]
(b) Explain why the boiling points of the noble gases increase down the group.[3]
(c) Some light bulbs contain a very hot metal filament. The bulbs are filled with argon rather than air. Suggest why.[2]
Show the answer and mark scheme
(a)Answer: Their atoms already have full outer shells (stable arrangements of electrons), so they do not need to share electrons to form bonds.
(the atoms have) a full outer shell / a stable arrangement of electrons
so they do not (need to) share / transfer electrons / form bonds
(b)Answer: The atoms get bigger (more electrons, higher relative atomic mass), so the forces between the atoms get stronger and more energy is needed to overcome them.
atoms get larger / have more electrons / relative atomic mass increases
(so) the forces between the atoms / intermolecular forces get stronger
(so) more energy is needed to overcome the forces
(c)Answer: Argon is unreactive, so the hot filament does not react with it; in air, the hot filament would react with oxygen (burn).
argon is unreactive / inert
(air contains oxygen and) the hot filament would react with oxygen / burn (in air)