2006-10-10 11:58:25 · 10 answers · asked by Red Eye 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Because they obey the octet rule. That is having 8 valence electrons, and they are happy that way so it is difficult to get them to react. This is why gold does not oxidize, it will not react with oxygen
2006-10-10 12:06:44 · answer #1 · answered by mr.answerman 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
An element is stable and does not react with other atoms if its valence layer is completed with eight electrons (or two in the case of helium).
In that condition, the atom does not have electrons to share with other atom in order to form bonds.
All the noble gases comply this condition, but under some extreme conditions some of the noble gases can react (examples are Xenon and Kripton).
Good luck!
2006-10-10 12:15:32 · answer #2 · answered by CHESSLARUS 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
due to the fact that they have their octet complete. That means they have their valence field full and do not need to bond for having stability; In fact, in Nature, only noble gases are found as lonely atoms. They all have a valence configuration of ns2np6, being n 1, 2, 3... so they have 6 electrons in their three p orbitals (remember, a max. 2 electrons per orbital) and 2 in their s orbital. However, elements like Xe can bond, for example XeF4, in which the central atom (Xe) has not eight, but 12 electrons on its valence field, forcing the molecule to have an octahedral shape (counting both axial lone pair electrons, but flat and square counting only the 4 atoms of F, occupying the corners of an imaginary square and the Xe in the middle but on the same plane) and forcing Xe to have hybridization of sp3d2
2006-10-10 12:18:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Noble gases are not reactive because they are satisfied with the number of electrons they've got.
2006-10-10 12:01:38 · answer #4 · answered by John Doe 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Their outer shells are complete. The first shell is complete with 2 electrons. The 2nd one is complete with 8 electrons. for a total of 10, as for neon.
2006-10-10 12:08:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
their outer ring is filled with its max number of electrons, so they have no need to give, take, or share. thats what usually causes a reaction
2006-10-10 12:07:11 · answer #6 · answered by icnmayhem 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
their outermost shell is filled with 8 electrons
2016-02-28 14:55:53 · answer #7 · answered by narendra varma 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
because the electrons and protons and neutrons study engineering and so they do not react to physics/science.
2015-09-06 00:55:07 · answer #8 · answered by mark angelo 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Their valence shells are full.
2013-11-30 17:19:33 · answer #9 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They have no free electrons, they are stable.
2006-10-10 12:00:56 · answer #10 · answered by misskate12001 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋