Question

Which of the following has the lowest boiling point?
A. Helium
B. Neon
C. Xenon
D. Argon

Answer 1

Hint: Periodic table is a great source of information about the elements and their relation to each other. Changes of different periodic properties. Also, this helps to predict the properties of the elements even if they are not discovered. Inert gases are from group 18. Which is on the extreme right side of the periodic table.

Complete step by step answer:
To answer this question the periodic properties of the elements from the different groups should be known. The periodic properties have opposite trends between left to right and top to bottom. The elements in periodic tables are arranged in a way that every element of each group shows similar physical characteristics and chemical characteristics.
In the periodic table, all the elements are arranged by the atomic numbers. Generally, on the left side of the periodic table, elements are metallic in nature. Moving from left to right the metallic character decreases and the non-metallic character increases. At the extreme right elements are non-metallic in nature.
In the case of inert gases, the force of attraction is weak Van Der Waals interaction, which depends on the size of the element. With the increasing size of the element Vander Waal interaction increases, as well as the boiling point.
Therefore, due to the lowest size of the Helium, it has the lowest boiling point.

So, the correct option is A.

Note:
Xenon is an inert gas. Its electronic configuration is $[Kr]4{d^{10}}5{s^2}5{p^6}$. All orbitals that are filled have paired electrons. Xenon can combine with an even number of F atoms to form $Xe{F_2}$, $Xe{F_4}$ and $Xe{F_6}$. This is because the promotion of 1, 2, or 3 electrons from the 5p filled orbitals to 5d vacant orbitals will give rise to $2,4,6$ half-filled orbitals. But it cannot combine with an odd number of F –atoms.
Thus, the formation of $Xe{F_3}$ and $Xe{F_5}$ is not possible.