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Argon, Helium, and all other elements at the far right end of the Periodic Table have a full valence (outer) electron shell, with 8 electrons in the s and p orbitals. The goal of every chemical reaction is to satisfy the octet rule, and fill the valence shell of all elements involved.

Because the inert gasses already satisfy the octet rule, they have no reason to react. Their nonreactivity has earned them the nickname "inert" which means "lifeless or inactive".

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Q: Why are argon and helium known as inert gases?
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Related questions

What family do helium and argon belong to?

Noble gases. Also known as Group Zero and inert gases.


What are rare or inert gases more commonly known as?

Inert gas = Noble gas Helium, Neon, Argon, Krypton, Xenon, Radon


What are the other names for noble gases?

helium (He), neon (Ne), argon (Ar), krypton (Kr), xenon (Xe) and the radioactive radon (Rn)


What is the best element known of the inert gases?

the last group or the 18th group of the table the helium group known as noble gases are known as inert gases


What is an inert substance?

The "inert" or "noble" gasses are called that because they do not participate in any chemical reactions. They are: Helium, neon, argon, krypton,. xenon, and radon. (Xenon has been known to form compounds with other elements, but only at exceptionally low temperatures.) They are in Column 18 of the WebElements periodic table.


What are the helium neon argon xenon and radon also known as?

Noble gases.


What is the Family name for argon?

The group that argon belongs to is the Noble Gases, otherwise known as the inert gases. However, Noble gases is the more acceptable term nowadays because the description inert implies that they cannot be reacted with. These Noble Gases such as argon can be reacted with, but they need incredibly extreme conditions to do such.


What elemental group has elements that were formely know as inert gases because they were thought to be completely unreactive due to their full outer energy level electron configurations?

The Noble Gases, formerly known as the inert gases consist of: Helium- He Neon- Ne Argon- Ar Krypton- Kr Xenon- Xe Radon- Ra


What can i use instead of helium?

You can use air but it won't float so I would recommend helium. If you suck in helium, it will make your voice sound weird.... Try it!!


Is helium known as inert?

Yes, helium is an inert gas.


Are there any known helium compounds?

No. It"s an inert gas,inert gases do not form compounds. Reactive gases(like Hydrogen ) do, like H-2-O or Hydrogen-Di-Oxide-better known as water.


Is xenon the only noble gas to form a compound?

No, "xeon" is not another name for "noble gases." The noble gases are helium (He), neon (Ne), argon (Ar), krypton (Kr), xenon (Xe), radon (Rn), and ununoctium (Uuo). (Ununoctium is not a naturally-occurring element and only a few atoms of it have ever been produced.)