Ask A Scientist© Chemistry Archive

 
name       Melissa
status     other
age        30s

Question - Why are noble gases called "noble"?
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Hi Melissa!
The "noble gases" have this name because they
seldon combine with other elements making
compounds so they have also the name of inert gases.
  Today there are some compounds prepared from Xenon
and Krypton, probably Radon also.
  The first bynary compound of a noble
gas was prepared at Argonne National Laboratory
(home of NEWTON!) by the procedure of heating a
mixture of Xenon and fluorine at 400 degree C, the result
were clolorless crystals of Xenon tetrafluoride , XeF4.
Thanks for asking NEWTON!
Mabel
(Dr. Mabel Rodrigues)
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