Question

Discussion

Choose a type of element on the periodic table (noble gases, alkali metals, halogens, etc.) and list the characteristics associated with those elements. Do humans use these elements, and how? Do their unique properties contribute to their usefulness to people? ((please I need 100 words about this subject))

Answer 1

Noble Gas:

The noble gases make 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 helium (He), neon (Ne), argon (Ar), krypton (Kr), xenon (Xe), and the radioactive radon (Rn). Ununoctium (Uuo), which was recognized as an element in December 2015, is predicted to be a noble gas as well but this fact is not confirmed. Their outer shell of valence electrons is considered to be "full", giving them little tendency to participate in chemical reactions.

Applications: Noble gases have very low boiling and melting points, which makes them useful as cryogenic refrigerants. They are used in superconducting magnets, Helium is used as a component of breathing gases to replace nitrogen, due its low solubility in fluids, especially in lipids. Argon is used in the synthesis of air-sensitive compounds that are sensitive to nitrogen. Xenon finds application in medical imaging of the lungs through hyperpolarized MRI. Radon, which is highly radioactive and is only available in minute amounts, is used in radiotherapy.

Alkali metals

The alkali metals, found in group 1 of the periodic table (formerly known as group IA), are very reactive metals that do not occur freely in nature. These metals have only one electron in their outer shell. Therefore, they are ready to lose that one electron in ionic bonding with other elements. As with all metals, the alkali metals are malleable, ductile, and are good conductors of heat and electricity. The alkali metals are softer than most other metals. Cesium and francium are the most reactive elements in this group. Alkali metals can explode if they are exposed to water.

Applications: Lithium, sodium, and potassium have many applications, while rubidium and caesium are very useful in academic contexts but do not have many applications yet. Lithium is often used in batteries, lubricating greases, air treatment, and aluminium production. Sodium has many applications, including use in sodium-vapour lamps, in soap as salts of fatty acids. Potassium compounds are often used as fertilisers. Caesium is often used in drilling fluids in the petroleum industry.

Halogens:

Halogen elements are a group in the periodic table consisting of five chemically related elements: fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), iodine (I), and astatine (At). The name 'halogen' means 'salt-producing'. When halogens react with metals they produce a wide range of salts. Organobromides are the most important class of flame retardants. Elemental halogens are lethally to dangerously toxic.

Applications: Both chlorine and bromine are used as disinfectants for drinking water, swimming pools, fresh wounds, spas, dishes, and surfaces. They kill bacteria and other potentially harmful microorganisms through a process known as sterilization. Sodium hypochlorite is a bleaching agent. Sodium chloride is table salt. Halogen lamps are a type of incandescent lamp. In drug discovery, the incorporation of halogen atoms into a lead drug candidate results in analogues that are usually more lipophilic and less water-soluble. As a consequence, halogen atoms are used to improve penetration through lipid membranes and tissues.