Why don't inert gases react with other elements?

Answer 1

The inert gases are "inert" because they have the ideal number of electrons in their outer or valence shell. The magic number happens to be eight, due to the octet rule (see related question below). Because they have the number of electrons that are "just right", they don't need to borrow or loan electrons through chemical reactions.

Answer 2

Noble gases are inert due to their stable electronic configuration. They have a completely filled valence shell and thus do not need to gain or lose or share electrons to become stable.

However, under specific conditions heavier noble gases like Xenon and Krypton form some compounds.

Answer 3

Noble gases have a full valence shell. Reactions often take place in order for an atom to gain a full valence shell and then become chemically unreactive. Since the noble gases already have a full valence shell, they are unreactive (although some exceptions do aply)

Answer 4

Because they have reached the stable duplet or octet elctron arrangement, which means they have two or eight valance elctrons on the outermost shell of the atoms. Hence, they do not need to accept or release electrons to becomes stable. Therefore, they are chemically inert.

Answer 5

Gasses tend to be inert because their chemical configuration is such that it is in the lowest possible energy state. Substances with higher energy state such as nitroglycerine react explosively as the molecule is seeking to find a lower energy state. Atmospheric nitrogen tends to be inert because of the stability of the N-N triple bond. Noble gasses are inert because they already contain 8 valence electrons (or an octet) and as a result aren't readily searching for substances to react with to complete its octet. That is not to say it is impossible to make such gasses react, although the reaction conditions tend to be very harsh ( ex. high temperature/pressure, presence of superbase/acid, etc.) or require specialized catalysts.

Answer 6

Their completely full valence shells, are very stable and thus require a very large amount of energy to destabilize them and make them want to react.

Answer 7

because noble gasses are not very reactive

Answer 8

The inert gases do not readily react with other elements because their valence shells are full, making them stable without reacting with other elements.