Question

List five nonmetallic elements that exist as gaseous substances under ordinary conditions. Do any metallic elements ordinarily occur as gases?

Short answer

The five nonmetallic gaseous elements are hydrogen (H), helium (He), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), and neon (Ne). There are no metallic elements that exist as gases under ordinary conditions.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the nonmetallic gaseous elements

To find the nonmetallic elements that exist as gases under ordinary conditions, we look at the right side of the periodic table, where the nonmetals are located. Elements in Group 18 (noble gases) are all gases at room temperature. We can list a few of them, as well as some elements from other groups that are also gases.

List the five nonmetallic gaseous elements

There are several nonmetallic gaseous elements. We will list down five of them: 1. Hydrogen (H) – Located in Group 1, hydrogen is the lightest element and exists as a gas at room temperature. 2. Helium (He) – The first element in Group 18, helium is a noble gas that is inert and also exists as a gas at room temperature. 3. Nitrogen (N) – Belonging to Group 15, nitrogen makes up a significant portion of the Earth's atmosphere and is a gas under ordinary conditions. 4. Oxygen (O) – Oxygen, found in Group 16, is another gas that exists under standard conditions and is essential for life on Earth. 5. Neon (Ne) – A noble gas in Group 18, neon is chemically inert and is a gas at room temperature.

Determine if any metallic elements exist as a gas under ordinary conditions

Metallic elements are generally solids at room temperature. There is no known metallic element that exists as a gas under ordinary conditions. Some metals are liquefied at or slightly above room temperature, like mercury (Hg) and gallium (Ga); however, these are still not in the gaseous state.

Key concepts

Periodic Table

The periodic table is a fundamental tool in chemistry that organizes all known elements based on their atomic number (number of protons). This layout allows us to easily understand the similarities and differences between elements.
- Nonmetals are typically located on the right side of the periodic table, while metals are generally positioned on the left.
- Noble gases are positioned in Group 18,
- Metals are predominantly situated in the middle and to the left, forming a clear distinction between metallic and nonmetallic elements.
The layout of the periodic table reflects the periodic law, where elements show similar properties at regular intervals. This design helps predict element behavior and their chemical interactions.

Noble Gases

Noble gases, found in Group 18 of the periodic table, are a unique series of elements known for their complete valence electron shells. This makes them remarkably stable and chemically inert. - Common noble gases include: - Helium (He) - Neon (Ne) - Argon (Ar) - Due to their complete electron configuration, noble gases rarely form compounds. - These elements exist naturally as gases at room temperature.
Their inertness makes them useful in various industries, from filling balloons (helium) to providing non-reactive environments for chemical experiments.

Metallic and Nonmetallic Elements

In the periodic table, elements are broadly categorized as metals, metalloids, and nonmetals.
- Metals: - Located primarily on the left and center of the periodic table - Known for properties like conductivity and malleability - Mostly solid under normal conditions - Nonmetals: - Found on the right side - Often exist as gases or brittle solids - Examples include hydrogen and oxygen
Nonmetallic elements like nitrogen and oxygen play critical roles in biological and environmental processes. While metals like iron and copper are crucial for industrial and technological applications.

Room Temperature Conditions

Room temperature is typically defined as 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). This is a range within which most everyday activities, including chemical reactions and state of matter discussions, are considered. - At room temperature, nonmetals like hydrogen and oxygen are gaseous. - Metallic elements are generally solid; exceptions like mercury and gallium can be liquid near room temperature, but not gaseous.
Understanding conditions at room temperature helps predict the state of elements and their interactions in everyday environments.