What makes a noble gas a gas?

Answer 1

Because they're located on the very right of the Periodic Table, meaning that they have full outer shells. What atoms "want" in a reaction is to have full outer shells, so noble gases don't react with any other elements. Therefore the name "noble gases". Too noble to have any kind of contact with anyone else, understand? :)

Answer 2

A noble gas is one of the inert gases (helium, neon, argon, xenon, krypton, radon) which does not easily form compounds. At one time there were no noble gas compounds known but now xenon. krypton and radon compounds have been created.

They were called "noble" gases because like the nobility (kings, queens, dukes etc.) they stood aloof from the common chemicals

Answer 3

Other elements in their ground state have a network of bonding, which increases the melting and boiling points. Noble gases do not have bonds.

More info: In fact, most elements that do not have a bond network are gases. Exceptions: phosphorus, arsenic, sulfur, iodine, bromine. These have atoms bonded in clusters instead of a network, but the clusters are large enough so that electrons can form enough temporary dipoles to keep them all stuck together.

Answer 4

Noble gases have completely filled orbitals / energy levels. They generally have 8 valence electrons (helium has only 2) and have stable electronic configuration. Hence they are chemically inert and generally donot form compounds under normal conditions.