Question

The noble gases were among the latest elements discovered; Mendeleev did not predict their existence when he published his first periodic table. Explain. In chemistry textbooks written before 1962, noble gases were referred to as inert gases. Why do we no longer use the term inert gases?

Short answer

Noble gases are not inert gas because they are evolving and are starting to react with other atoms.

Step-by-step solution

Define Elements

An element is a pure material made up entirely of atoms with the same number of protons in their nuclei, as defined by chemistry. Chemical elements, unlike chemical compounds, cannot be broken down into smaller substances by chemical reactions.

Explanation on why noble gas is not called inert gas.

Noble gases have eight electrons on their valence shell. These eight electrons are the maximum electrons that any valence shell can have.

It means they are stable and will not absorb or transfer electrons from other atoms. The full valence shell makes them Inert or unreactive since they will no longer participate in the bonding.

Due to the noble gases' inertness, it was hard for the scientists to discover them each as they did not react.

Right now, noble gases are no longer referred to as inert gas since there are substances or compounds that have been lately discovered that show a link or a bond with a specific atom.

Therefore, noble gases are said to be evolving and are starting to react with other atoms.