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Chapter 3: Problem 65

State two things that are unique about the noble gases.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Two unique characteristics of noble gases are: \(1)\) their complete outer electron shell configuration which makes them stable and \(2)\) their low reactivity which allows them to be used in applications where chemical reactions are undesirable.

Step by step solution

01

1. Complete outer electron shell configuration

Noble gases have a unique electron configuration in which their outer electron shell is completely filled. This is the reason behind their low reactivity. In the periodic table, noble gases belong to Group 18, and they all share this unique configuration. Some examples of noble gases include Helium (He), Neon (Ne), Argon (Ar), Krypton (Kr), Xenon (Xe), and Radon (Rn).
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2. Low Reactivity

Another unique characteristic of noble gases is their low reactivity. Due to their stable outer electron shell configuration, noble gases generally do not form chemical compounds easily. This makes them ideal for applications where chemical reactions are undesirable, such as for inert gas welding or in lightbulbs to prevent filament oxidation.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

What would the charge on a ion be if, starting from the neutral atom: (a) You add three electrons. (b) You remove four electrons. (c) You add two neutrons to the nucleus.

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