Question

1. Noble gases have very low boiling points. Why?

2. XeF₂ and XeF₄ are important Xe compounds. How can we prepare them and what is the action of water on them?

Answer 1

1. Noble gases being monoatomic have no interatomic forces except weak dispersion forces and therefore, they are liquefied at very low temperatures. Hence, they have low boiling points.

2. XeF₂ and XeF₂ are formed by the direct reaction of elements under the specific conditions.

They are readly hydrolysed even by traces of water,

e.g. 2XeF₂(s) + 2H₂O(l) → 2Xe(g) + 4HF(aq) + O₂(g)