Question

What are group $8$ elements called?

Answer 1

The elements in group $8$ already have a full valence shell with eight valence electrons. This will make these elements non-reactive as they already have eight electrons in their valence shell. They are already stable and are in a low energy state.

Complete answer:
The group $8$ elements are called noble gases. The members of the noble gases include: Helium, Neon, Argon, Xenon, Krypton and Radon. As these elements are non-reactive, they have applications in shielding other elements from reacting with air. The gas argon is used in incandescent lamps to prevent the hot tungsten filament from oxidizing. The gas helium is used in breathing gas by deep sea divers in order to prevent oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide toxicity. It is due to its low solubility in fluids mainly in lipids. Noble gases are colorless, tasteless and odorless. They have full valence shell electrons. Valence shell electrons are the outermost electrons of an atom and are the only electrons which participate in chemical bonding. Atoms having full valence electrons are very stable and do not tend to form chemical bonds and have less tendency to lose or gain electrons.
Therefore, the group $8$ elements are called noble gases.

Note:
The group $8$ elements have very low boiling and melting points which makes them useful as cryogenic refrigerants. They are also used in medicines. Helium is used as an anesthetic due to its high solubility in lipids which makes it more potent than usual nitrous oxide.