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Science lesson plan · 8th grade (Year 9 in England) · 45 minutes

Group 0: why noble gases are unreactive and how we use them

Atoms, elements and the periodic table

CCSS NGSS.HS-PS1-1England: GCSE Combined Science: Atomic structure and the periodic table (group 0)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Group 0: why noble gases are unreactive and how we use them.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: The periodic table: groups and periods

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

Materials: Periodic tables, Atom model kits, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 5 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (The periodic table: groups and periods). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Which family does chlorine belong to? (alkali metals (group 1) / halogens (group 17, also called group 7) / noble gases (group 18, also called group 0)) → halogens (group 17, also called group 7)Prompt: Is it a soft metal, a coloured reactive non-metal, or an unreactive gas?
  2. Which family does bromine belong to? (alkali metals (group 1) / halogens (group 17, also called group 7) / noble gases (group 18, also called group 0)) → halogens (group 17, also called group 7)Prompt: Is it a soft metal, a coloured reactive non-metal, or an unreactive gas?
  3. Which family does iodine belong to? (alkali metals (group 1) / halogens (group 17, also called group 7) / noble gases (group 18, also called group 0)) → halogens (group 17, also called group 7)Prompt: Is it a soft metal, a coloured reactive non-metal, or an unreactive gas?

Hook · 5 min

  • Show the periodic table and ask what patterns students can see before anything is explained.
  • Share the objective: Group 0: why noble gases are unreactive and how we use them. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 10 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Why are noble gases so unreactive?
  • Step 1: With a stable full outer shell, noble gases do not need to lose, gain or share electrons.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: Their outer electron shell is full
  • Answer: Their outer electron shell is full
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 10 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Why are noble gases so unreactive? (They have no electrons / They are metals / Their outer electron shell is full / They are too heavy) → Their outer electron shell is fullPrompt: Atoms react to gain a full outer shell.
  2. The noble gases: which statement is NOT true? (Noble gases form diatomic molecules like Cl₂. / Helium has a full outer shell with only two electrons. / Neon glows red-orange in electric signs. / Noble gases exist as single atoms.) → Noble gases form diatomic molecules like Cl₂.Prompt: How many electrons are in helium's outer shell?

You do: independent practice · 10 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 5 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. The noble gases: which statement is NOT true? (Noble gases are colourless at room temperature. / Noble gases form diatomic molecules like Cl₂. / Noble gases exist as single atoms. / Neon glows red-orange in electric signs.) → Noble gases form diatomic molecules like Cl₂.Prompt: How many electrons are in helium's outer shell?
  2. Why is argon used inside some light bulbs and for welding? (It burns very hot / It is unreactive, so it stops hot metal reacting with oxygen / It glows bright green / It conducts electricity like a metal) → It is unreactive, so it stops hot metal reacting with oxygenPrompt: Hot metals react quickly with oxygen.

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: The periodic table: groups and periods.
  • Use concrete materials: periodic tables.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-8.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Group 0: why noble gases are unreactive and how we use them

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    The noble gases: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. Noble gases have eight electrons in every shell.
    • B. Noble gases are colourless at room temperature.
    • C. Helium has a full outer shell with only two electrons.
    • D. Noble gases exist as single atoms.

  2. Question 2

    Why are noble gases so unreactive?

    • A. They are metals
    • B. They have no electrons
    • C. They are too heavy
    • D. Their outer electron shell is full

  3. Question 3

    Which noble gas is used for glowing red-orange advertising signs?

    • A. helium
    • B. neon
    • C. argon

  4. Question 4

    Boiling points: helium −269 °C, neon −246 °C, argon −186 °C. What is the trend down the group?

    • A. boiling point stays the same
    • B. there is no pattern
    • C. boiling point increases
    • D. boiling point decreases

  5. Question 5

    Which noble gas is used for shielding metal during welding?

    • A. helium
    • B. neon
    • C. argon

  6. Question 6

    Which noble gas is used for filling the gap in some double glazing?

    • A. helium
    • B. neon
    • C. argon

  7. Question 7

    Which noble gas is used for cooling the magnets in MRI scanners?

    • A. helium
    • B. neon
    • C. argon

  8. Question 8

    Which noble gas is used for filling party balloons and airships?

    • A. helium
    • B. neon
    • C. argon

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Answer key: Group 0: why noble gases are unreactive and how we use them

  1. 1. A. Noble gases have eight electrons in every shell.

  2. 2. D. Their outer electron shell is full

  3. 3. B. neon

  4. 4. C. boiling point increases

  5. 5. C. argon

  6. 6. C. argon

  7. 7. A. helium

  8. 8. A. helium