What Are Inert Elements?

Inert elements, also known as noble gases or noble elements, are a group of chemical elements found in Group 18 (VIII A) of the periodic table. This group includes the following elements:

Helium (He)
Neon (Ne)
Argon (Ar)
Krypton (Kr)
Xenon (Xe)
Radon (Rn)
These elements are called "inert" or "noble" because they are chemically very stable and tend not to react with other elements or compounds under normal conditions. This stability arises from the fact that the outermost electron shell of noble gases is completely filled with electrons. This full electron configuration makes them less likely to gain or lose electrons, which is the basis for chemical reactions.

The lack of reactivity of noble gases makes them useful for various applications, such as:

Helium is commonly used in balloons and airships because it is lighter than air and does not burn.
Neon is used in neon signs and lighting because it emits a colorful glow when an electrical current passes through it.
Argon is used in welding to shield metals from oxidation during the welding process.
Krypton and xenon are used in lighting, including high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps and flash photography.
Radon is a radioactive noble gas and is used in some medical applications, such as radiation therapy.
Overall, inert elements are important in both scientific research and various technological applications due to their unique chemical properties and relative stability.