Science glossary film: Noble gases

Elements in group 8, also called group 0, of the periodic table. They include helium, argon, neon and xenon. All are colourless, odourless gases which are largely unreactive with other elements because their outer shell of electrons is full. It used to be thought that they formed no compounds at all, although a few, such as xenon tetrafluoride, have now been discovered.

They include helium, argon, neon and xenon. All are colourless, odourless gases which are largely unreactive with other elements because their outer shell of electrons is full. It used to be thought that they formed no compounds at all, although a few, such as xenon tetrafluoride, have now been discovered.