Noble gases

Definition

The elements at the far right of the periodic table that have complete outer electron shells and are chemically inert.

Because their valence shells are full, they have their electrons arranged exactly where they want them and do not readily bond. Neon, with ten protons and ten electrons, fills its first shell with two and completes its octet with the remaining eight. Their inertness is the reference state of stability that other elements chase.

Related concepts

Valence electrons · Octet Rule · Periodic Table

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Part of The Blueprint of Water · 🧪 chemistry