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Topic 6: Groups in the periodic table

3 dot points across 3 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

Why are the Group 0 noble gases so unreactive, and how do their properties vary?

Group 0 the noble gases: their lack of reactivity explained by full outer shells, the trends in boiling point and density down the group, and their uses.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE Chemistry topic 6, covering why the Group 0 noble gases are unreactive in terms of their full outer shells, the trends in boiling point and density down the group, that they are monatomic gases, and their uses such as in lighting and inert atmospheres.
8 min answer →

Why do the Group 1 alkali metals get more reactive down the group?

Group 1 the alkali metals: their physical properties, their reactions with water and oxygen, the trend in reactivity down the group, and the explanation in terms of electronic structure.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE Chemistry topic 6, covering the physical properties of the Group 1 alkali metals, their reactions with water and oxygen, the increasing reactivity down the group, and how the trend is explained by the increasing distance of the outer electron from the nucleus.
9 min answer →

Why do the Group 7 halogens get less reactive down the group, and what are displacement reactions?

Group 7 the halogens: their physical properties and trends, their reactions to form ions and compounds, the decreasing reactivity down the group, and halogen displacement reactions.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE Chemistry topic 6, covering the physical properties and trends of the Group 7 halogens, how they form 1- ions and covalent molecules, the decreasing reactivity down the group explained by electronic structure, and halogen displacement reactions with their ionic equations.
9 min answer →