The only chemical elements that are stable single atoms (so they are not molecules) at standard temperature and pressure (STP) are the noble gases. These are helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon. Noble gases have a full outer valence shell making them rather non-reactive species.[2] While these elements have been described historically as completely inert, chemical compounds have been synthesized with all but neon and helium.[3]
When grouped together with the homonucleardiatomic gases such as nitrogen (N2), the noble gases are called "elemental gases" to distinguish them from molecules that are also chemical compounds.
The only possible motion of an atom in a monatomic gas is translation (electronic excitation is not important at room temperature). Thus by the equipartition theorem, the kinetic energy of a single atom of a monatomic gas at thermodynamic temperatureT is given by , where kB is the Boltzmann constant. One mole of atoms contains an Avogadro number () of atoms, so that the energy of one mole of atoms of a monatomic gas is , where R is the gas constant.
In an adiabatic process, monatomic gases have an idealised γ-factor (Cp/Cv) of 5/3, as opposed to 7/5 for ideal diatomic gases where rotation (but not vibration at room temperature) also contributes. Also, for ideal monatomic gases:[4][5][6]
the molar heat capacity at constant pressure (Cp) is 5/2 R = 20.8 J⋅K−1⋅mol−1 (4.97 cal⋅K−1⋅mol−1).
the molar heat capacity at constant volume (Cv) is 3/2 R = 12.5 J⋅K−1⋅mol−1 (2.98 cal⋅K−1⋅mol−1).
