Question

An inert gas with more than one orbit, has ___ electrons in its outermost shell.
A. 0
B. 2
C. 4
D. 8

Answer 1

Hint: The outer shells of inert gases are not completely filled with electrons and the elements of this group get the nearest inert gas configuration by losing, gaining or sharing of electrons.

Complete answer:
 Inert gases are also known as noble gases because they are so majestic that, in general, they do not react with anything. They are chemically active in nature.
- The following seven gases are known as noble gases: Helium, neon, argon, krypton, radon, oganesson.
- For example, let us consider helium. The atomic number of helium is 2.
- Helium does not exchange or share electrons to form bonds with other molecules. Helium has one shell (k) which requires two electrons and helium has two electrons, so the outermost shell is filled, and helium has no need to lose electrons or gain electrons. This suggests that the valency is taken as zero.
- Similarly, every noble gas consisting of its outermost shell is filled hence they don’t lose or gain any electron. Hence, the valency of noble gases is zero.
- Therefore, with valency being zero, 8 electrons are present in the outermost shell.

The correct option is (D).

Note: Noble gases have eight electrons in their outermost orbit. Thus, they exhibit a stable octet configuration. Helium does not possess 8 electrons in its outermost shell because it exhibits duplet configuration.