Why are the noble gases the least reactive elements? (1 point)
• They are the elements with the smallest atomic mass.
• They have a full valence electron shell.
• They have an empty inner electron shell.
• They are the most electronegative elements.
The correct answer is: They have a full valence electron shell.
Noble gases have a full valence electron shell, meaning that their outermost energy level is completely filled with electrons. This makes them stable and less likely to gain or lose electrons to form chemical bonds with other elements. As a result, noble gases are chemically inert and have very low reactivity.
The noble gases are the least reactive elements because they have a full valence electron shell.
The correct answer is: They have a full valence electron shell.
Explanation: Noble gases, such as helium, neon, argon, and others, are the least reactive elements because they have a full valence electron shell. The valence electrons are the outermost electrons in an atom, and they are involved in chemical bonding with other atoms. In the case of noble gases, their outermost shell is completely filled with electrons, meaning that they have achieved a stable electron configuration.
Atoms become stable by either gaining, losing, or sharing electrons to achieve a complete electron shell. However, noble gases already have the maximum number of electrons in their valence shell. This gives them little to no motivation to interact or engage in chemical reactions with other elements.
Additionally, noble gases tend to have very low electronegativity, which means they do not strongly attract electrons. Electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract electrons towards itself when it is involved in a chemical bond. Since noble gases have stable electron configurations, they do not have a strong attraction or tendency to gain or lose electrons.
In summary, the full valence electron shell of noble gases prevents them from participating in chemical reactions, making them the least reactive elements.