How do noble gases interact with other elements?

Noble gases generally do not interact with other elements due to their full outer electron shells.

Noble gases, also known as inert gases, are located in Group 0 of the Periodic Table. They include helium (He), neon (Ne), argon (Ar), krypton (Kr), xenon (Xe), and radon (Rn). These gases are characterised by their low reactivity, which is a result of their full outer electron shells. In other words, they have achieved a stable electronic configuration, which means they do not need to gain, lose, or share electrons to become stable. This makes them unreactive or inert.

However, under certain extreme conditions, some noble gases can form compounds with other elements. This is particularly true for the heavier noble gases like xenon and krypton. For example, xenon can react with fluorine to form xenon hexafluoride (XeF6), a powerful oxidising agent. This reaction occurs under specific conditions of high pressure and temperature.

The low reactivity of noble gases has practical applications. For instance, argon is used in light bulbs because it does not react with the tungsten filament, even at high temperatures. Helium, due to its low reactivity and lightness, is used in balloons and airships.

In summary, while noble gases are generally unreactive due to their full outer electron shells, under certain conditions, some can form compounds with other elements. Their low reactivity makes them useful in various applications.