Question

Heavier noble gases are able to form compounds with other elements under specific conditions because their valence ____are farther from the _____

Answer 1

Answer:

Heavier noble gases are able to form compounds with other elements under specific conditions because their valence electrons are farther from the nucleus.

Explanation:

The name of noble or inert gas is due to the lack of reactivity with other elements. This is due to its electronic configuration, because its outermost shell or valence shell is always complete, without the need to share, give or receive electrons forming bonds. That is, its outer layer is so stable that the element tends not to react with others except in very specific cases.

These exceptions generally involve the heavier noble gases, such as xenon or radon, capable of forming compounds with fluorine and oxygen. This is because the heavier noble gases have more electron shells than the lighter ones. This characteristic causes the outermost electrons to experience a "shielding" effect due to the action of the inner electrons, and they can then be ionized more easily, since the attraction they receive from the positive charges of the nucleus is weaker. That makes the ionization energy low enough to form stable compounds with more electronegative elements, such as fluorine and oxygen.

Heavier noble gases are able to form compounds with other elements under specific conditions because their valence electrons are farther from the nucleus.