Sulphur, Nitrogen, Halogen, Inert Gases Notes with PDF

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Composition and Properties of Earth’s Atmosphere

Major Atmospheric Gases

• Nitrogen (N₂)
  • The most abundant gas in the Earth’s atmosphere.
  • Approximate percentage by volume: 78-79%.
  • Classified as a permanent gas (concentration remains nearly constant).
• Other Common Gases
  • Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): Has the lowest percentage by volume among the common gases (Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon, CO₂).
  • Argon: Present in a higher concentration than CO₂.
  • Neon: Another permanent gas present in the atmosphere.

Gas Cycles

• Gaseous biogeochemical cycles include Nitrogen (N₂) and Oxygen (O₂).
• Carbon is not part of a purely gaseous cycle.

Special Names, Uses, and Properties of Gases

Noble Gases

• Helium: A noble gas.
• Xenon: Known as the “Stranger Gas”.

Medical and Industrial Gases

• Nitrous Oxide (N₂O)
  • Commonly known as “Laughing Gas”.
  • Used as an anaesthetic.
  • Note: Nitric oxide (NO) is not laughing gas.
• Diving Gas Mixtures
  • Deep-sea divers use an Oxygen-Helium mixture (Heliox) for respiration.
  • This prevents conditions like nitrogen narcosis and is used instead of the normal air mixture (Oxygen-Nitrogen).
• Other Uses
  • Nitrogen is used to inflate the tyres of aircraft.
  • Helium is used to fill balloons because it is non-flammable and does not form explosive mixtures, unlike hydrogen.

Halogens (Group 17 Elements)

• Physical States at Room Temperature:
  • Bromine: The only halogen that is a liquid (red liquid).
  • Iodine: Solid.
  • Chlorine and Fluorine: Gases.
• Reactivity: Fluorine is the most reactive halogen.
• Medical Use: A halogen (iodine) is used as an analgesic (pain reliever).

Solubility, Plant Nutrition, and Other Facts

Solubility in Water

• Ammonia (NH₃) is easily soluble in water.
• For contrast: Gases like Nitrogen and Iodine are not easily soluble.

Plant Nutrition

• Insectivorous plants (e.g., Venus flytraps) trap insects to compensate for the deficiency of Nitrogen in the soil they grow in.

Miscellaneous Facts

• Electrical Conductivity: Among non-metals, Selenium is noted as being a fair conductor (it is not a poor conductor).
• Odor: The foul smell of dead fish is due to amine compounds.
• Molecular Shape: Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF₆) has an octahedral molecular shape.

Gases in Lighting

Fluorescent Tubelights

• The most common substances used are mercury vapour and argon gas.
• The gas is filled at low pressure.
• Some sources mention a mixture of argon and neon.

Decorative Discharge Tubes

• Neon gas is used in discharge tubes for optical decoration and advertising (neon signs).

Tear Gas

• Tear gas can be Chlorine (Cl₂).
• Other options include Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂).

Know More About Sulphur, Nitrogen, Halogen, Inert Gases:

• Sulphur, Nitrogen, Halogen, Inert Gases – Old Year Questions
• Sulphur, Nitrogen, Halogen, Inert Gases One Liner Questions & Answers