Question

Which of the following are formed by Xenon.
(a) \[Xe{F_3}\]
(b) \[Xe{F_4}\]
(c) \[Xe{F_5}\]
(d) \[Xe{F_6}\]

Answer 1

Hint: The compounds which are formed by noble gases are called noble gases compounds. Among the noble gases xenon (\[Xe\]), the only noble gas which forms a variety of compounds with fluorine and oxygen atoms. Other noble gases such as krypton (\[Kr\]) and radon (\[Rn\])form a limited number of compounds.

Complete Step by Step Solution:
On the bases of reactivity noble gases can be divided into two parts:
(1) Reactive noble gases: Krypton (\[Kr\]), Xenon (\[Xe\]), and Radon (\[Rn\]).
(2) Non-reactive noble gases: Argon (\[Ar\]), Neon (\[Ne\]), and Helium (\[He\]).

Noble gases are inert due to following two reasons:
(1) They have a very stable outer shell electronic configuration (\[n{s^2}n{p^6}\] ) i.e., they have eight electrons in their valence electrons.
(2) The noble gas possesses very high ionisation enthalpy and electron affinity. Therefore, they can not lose or gain electrons in chemical reactions.

In the year of 1962, Neil Bartlett first isolated the compounds of xenon (\[Xe\]) with oxygen (\[{O_2}\]) and fluorine (\[F\]) atoms. The \[Xe{F_2}\], \[Xe{F_4}\], \[Xe{F_6}\], \[Xe{O_3}\] and \[XeO{F_2}\] are the compounds which are formed by the xenon gas (\[Xe\]).
Therefore from the above explanation we can say that \[Xe\]can form \[Xe{F_2}\], \[Xe{F_4}\], \[Xe{F_6}\], \[Xe{O_3}\] and \[XeO{F_2}\] compounds. Hence, option (b) and (d) will be the correct option:

Note: All the noble gases are monoatomic. Xenon (\[Xe\]) is used in some specialised light sources. Among noble gases xenon forms the highest number of compounds. Xenon (\[Xe\]) can cause death. Xenon (\[Xe\]) is also used as a moderator in nuclear reactors.