What is so unusual about the group 0 on the periodic table?

Answer 1

About group Zero:

In 1895 Lord Rayleigh reported the discovery of a new gaseous element named argon which proved to be chemically inert. This element did not fit any of the known periodic groups. In 1898, William Ramsey suggested that argon be placed into the periodic table between chlorine and potassium in a family with helium, despite the fact that argon's atomic weight was greater than that of potassium. This group was termed the "zero" group due to the zero valency of the elements. Ramsey accurately predicted the future discovery and properties neon.
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Actually, the group is now commonly known as group 18 or XIIIA (8A) and contains the elements known as noble gasses.

Every atom has electrons in different layers or orbitals (depending on which theory you're considering) around its nucleus. These layers are completed one by one. The farthest layer from the nucleus which is incomplete is called the valence layer. The best energy level for each layer is achieved when the layer is complete with (usually) 8 electrons. This is called the octet state (some orbitals require more electrons to become most stable of course, but the system is the same).

Atoms react with other atoms to either gain electrons and complete their valence layer or to lose electrons and turn their last complete layer into their valence layer.

But noble gases have a complete valence electron layers from the beginning and thus need not to react with other elements to reach stability. They are extremely stable in their own primary state and almost never react with other elements or compounds. This results in their neutral nature and unreactive behavior.

Answer 2

Periodic Table Group 0

Answer 3

These are the Noble gases and as such are among the most unreactive elements in the periodic table. However to say they do not form any compounds is incorrect. All have been shown to form compounds with other elements except for helium. Helium remains as the only and most inert element.

The reason for the inertness is due to the completely filled outer electron shells.

Answer 4

do they have group 0? not group 1?

Answer 5

Group O refers to the inert or noble gases. They do not react with other elements.

Answer 6

A distinct unwillingness to form any compounds - chemical unreactivity.

Answer 7

They are chemically inactive