Question

The solubility of noble gases in water shows the order:
A) He > Ar > Kr > Na > Xe
B) He > Na > Ar > Kr > Xe
C) Xe > Kr > Ar > Na > He
D) None of the above

Answer 1

The noble gases are the chemical elements placed in a periodic table in group 18. These gases are the most stable elements in the periodic table due to the maximum number of valence electrons which they have and can hold in their outer shell. Therefore, they don’t react with other elements in the periodic table, since they are already in a stable state.

Complete answer:
The noble gases are not soluble in water. The solubility in water increases as the size of noble gases increases. Noble gas is soluble in water due to the dipole-induced dipole interaction. As the size of noble gas increases, the gas can be easily polarized by water and distort the electrons.
Noble gases are the non-polar elements, so the only form of intermolecular force property that they have are london dispersion forces, the noble gases can dissolve in water, but in less amount, because some of the water molecules are be able to form dipole-induced dipole attractions with the noble gas atoms.
So, the Solubility of noble gases in the water is due to dipole-induced dipole interaction form. As dipole-induced dipole interaction increases with the increase of molecular mass of noble gases, hence solubility of noble gases in water increases down the group. So the solubility order is Xe > Kr > Ar > Na > He.

Therefore, the correct answer is option C.

Note: Noble gases are soluble in water and their solubility increases down the group because of increase in the dipole interaction between ${H_2}O$ molecules and noble gas atoms down the group in the periodic table .