AQA · GCSE · Combined Science
Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018
The boiling points of the noble gases increase with increasing relative…
Full specification wording
Group 0: The boiling points of the noble gases increase with increasing relative atomic mass (going down the group).
The noble gases are monatomic, so boiling points depend on weak intermolecular forces between atoms, not covalent bonds.
Checked against the AQA 8464 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The noble gases are monatomic, so boiling points depend on weak intermolecular forces between atoms, not covalent bonds. Going down Group 0, relative atomic mass increases because each element has more protons and neutrons. The atoms also have more electrons in more shells, making them larger. This increase in atomic size and electron number strengthens the intermolecular forces between neighbouring atoms. Consequently, more energy is needed to overcome these forces during boiling, so the boiling point rises.
What earns the marks
- Noble gases exist as single, monatomic atoms, so there are no covalent bonds between atoms to break during boiling.
- Going down Group 0, relative atomic mass increases because atoms have more protons and neutrons.
- The atoms become larger and have more electron shells, increasing the strength of intermolecular forces.
- More energy is required to overcome the stronger intermolecular forces, so the boiling point increases.
- A correct comparison of two named noble gases, such as helium boiling at about -269 °C and xenon at about -108 °C, supports the trend.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Saying that covalent bonds between noble gas atoms get stronger down the group.
Put it right: Noble gases are monatomic, so boiling involves overcoming weak intermolecular forces, not breaking covalent bonds.
Stating that boiling point increases because relative atomic mass increases, without explaining why.
Put it right: Link the increase in relative atomic mass to more electrons, larger atoms, and stronger intermolecular forces.
Confusing melting point and boiling point trends or quoting values without units.
Put it right: Use the correct physical change and include units such as °C when quoting data.
Exam tips
- Use the phrase 'increasing relative atomic mass' and then explain the effect on intermolecular forces, rather than simply repeating the trend.
- Compare two specific noble gases with data, for example helium and xenon, to show the trend clearly.
- Avoid saying 'stronger bonds'; write 'stronger intermolecular forces' between the atoms.
Try the lesson
The start of the Group 0: The boiling points of the noble gases increase with increasing relative atomic mass (going down the group). lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which noble gas has the lowest boiling point?
Listen
The noble gases are monatomic, so boiling points depend on weak intermolecular forces between atoms, not covalent bonds. Going down Group 0, relative atomic mass increases because each element has more protons and neutrons. The atoms also have more electrons in more shells, making them larger. This increase in atomic size and electron number strengthens the intermolecular forces between neighbouring atoms. Consequently, more energy is needed to overcome these forces during boiling, so the boiling point rises. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Noble gases exist as single, monatomic atoms, so there are no covalent bonds between atoms to break during boiling. Going down Group 0, relative atomic mass increases because atoms have more protons and neutrons. The atoms become larger and have more electron shells, increasing the strength of intermolecular forces. More energy is required to overcome the stronger intermolecular forces, so the boiling point increases. A common slip: saying that covalent bonds between noble gas atoms get stronger down the group. Instead, noble gases are monatomic, so boiling involves overcoming weak intermolecular forces, not breaking covalent bonds. Exam tip: Use the phrase 'increasing relative atomic mass' and then explain the effect on intermolecular forces, rather than simply repeating the trend.
Key words
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Group 0 noble gases
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Monatomic structure
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Relative atomic mass trend
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Intermolecular forces and boiling point
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See every definition
- Group 0 noble gases
- Elements whose boiling points increase with increasing relative atomic mass going down the group.
- Monatomic structure
- Existing as single atoms, so there are no covalent bonds between atoms to break during boiling.
- Relative atomic mass trend
- Going down Group 0 it increases because atoms have more protons and neutrons.
- Intermolecular forces and boiling point
- The atoms become larger with more electron shells, increasing the strength of intermolecular forces, so more energy is required to overcome them and the boiling point increases.
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