Question

Are noble gases reactive?

Answer 1

Hint:Noble gases are gases whose valence shell is completely filled where the valence shell corresponds to the shell in which the last electron of an atom fills. There are six naturally occurring noble gases which are helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon and radon.

Complete step-by-step answer:Noble gases are means to be less reactive in nature this reactivity can be explained on the basis of following points:
1. Valence shells are completely filled so the electrons will move to the next available shell which needs a very high amount of energy.
2. Ionization enthalpy is very high where ionization corresponds to energy needed to remove an electron as the shell is fully filled i.e. stable in nature so for removing an electron we need a higher amount of energy.
3. Noble gases have large positive values for electron gain enthalpy i.e. to gain an electron energy needed is also very high due to its stable nature.
Noble gases have no tendency to loose or gain at room temperature and this is the only reason they do not participate in chemical reactions and remain inert in nature. But if we attain some special conditions by increasing or decreasing temperature and pressure they can react.
Hence from the above discussion we can conclude that noble gases can react but their reactivity is very less as compared to other group elements.

Note:Noble gases are also known by the name of inert gases and these gases are the chemical compounds which belong to group 18 of the periodic table. Noble gases was discovered by Sir William Ramsay in which the last element of noble gases i.e. radon is radioactive in nature.