Question

A neutral atom whose electron configuration is
${1s }^{ 2 }{ 2s }^{ 2 }{ 2p }^{ 6 }{ 3s }^{ 2 }{ 4s }^{ 2 }{ 3d }^{ 10 }{ 4p }^{ 6 }{ 5s }^{ 2 }{ 4d }^{ 10 }{ 5p }^{ 6 }$
A. Highly reactive
B. A noble gas
C. A positively charged ion
D. A transition metal
E. A lanthanide element.

Answer 1

Hint: It is a chemical element with atomic number 54. It is a colorless, dense, odorless noble gas found in the Earth’s atmosphere in trace amounts. It is used in instruments for radiation detection, for example neutrons and X-ray counters and bubble chambers.

Complete step by step answer:
Let us first understand what a neutral atom is,
A neutral atom is an atom which has an equal number of protons and electrons or an equal number of positive and negative charges. For example, copper is a neutral atom which has 29 protons and 29 electrons within it.

Now, let us know about xenon;
Xenon (Xe) is a colorless, odorless gas and is a member of the noble gas family of elements, which also includes helium, neon, argon, and krypton. The noble gases are all very unreactive, or inert. Because of this, they usually won't be found participating in chemical reactions and forming new compounds.

One of xenon's most important properties is its inertness. The reason xenon doesn't react easily is that it's so stable on its own. This stability is caused by its full set of valence electrons; these are the electrons farthest from an atom's nucleus and are the only electrons that participate in chemical bonding. Thus, xenon's full set of valence electrons allows it to exist comfortably on its own.

Therefore, a neutral atom with the electronic configuration ${ 1s }^{ 2 }{ 2s }^{ 2 }{ 2p }^{ 6 }{ 3s }^{ 2 }{ 4s }^{ 2 }{ 3d }^{ 10 }{ 4p }^{ 6 }{ 5s }^{ 2 }{ 4d }^{ 10 }{ 5p }^{ 6 }$ is Xenon. This is a noble gas. Hence, option B is the required answer.

Note: Xenon's boiling point is about 165.1 K. At temperatures below its boiling point, xenon becomes a liquid. Once temperatures reach its melting point, which is about 161.4 K, Xe exists as a light-blue solid.