Check all that apply.
Choose all that describe noble gases.
monatomic
radioactive
inert
-monatomic
-inert
Out of the options provided, the correct choices for noble gases are:
- Monatomic: Noble gases exist as single atoms and do not form bonds with other atoms.
- Inert: Noble gases are chemically inert, meaning they do not readily react with other elements or compounds.
The option "radioactive" does not describe noble gases, as they generally do not exhibit radioactive properties.
To check all that apply and choose all that describe noble gases, we need to understand the properties of noble gases. Noble gases are a group of chemical elements that have certain characteristics. Let's go through each statement and determine if it applies to noble gases:
1. Monatomic: Monatomic refers to atoms that exist as single atoms, rather than as molecules with multiple atoms bonded together. Noble gases are indeed monatomic, as they exist as individual atoms in their natural state. So, this statement applies to noble gases.
2. Radioactive: Radioactive elements have unstable atomic nuclei that decay over time, resulting in the emission of radiation. Noble gases, such as helium (He), neon (Ne), argon (Ar), krypton (Kr), xenon (Xe), and radon (Rn), are generally not radioactive. However, there are exceptions, such as radon, which is radioactive. So, while most noble gases are not radioactive, there is one radioactive noble gas. Therefore, this statement can partially apply to noble gases.
3. Inert: Inert describes substances that are chemically unreactive or resistant to undergoing chemical reactions. This statement definitely applies to noble gases, as they are known for their inertness. Noble gases have full valence electron shells, making them stable and less likely to react with other elements. Hence, noble gases are inert.
Based on the explanations above, the statements that apply to noble gases are:
- Monatomic
- Inert