Chemists once called the group 18 elements the inert gases. Why is this name less popular now?

Robert S is right. eg Xenon hexafluoroplatinate Xe+[PtF6]鈭?, XeF2, XeF4, and XeF6.


Ne and He are the least reactive of the noble gases as they are very hard to ionise as they have a smaller atomic radius. As you go down the group the ionisation energies are less as the outer electrons are further away from the nucleus and not as strongly held.

Chemists once called the group 18 elements the inert gases. Why is this name less popular now?
u mean 8 not 18 dunno im taught noble gases rather than inert why does anything change.
Reply:its still popular i believe
Reply:Because they are not completely inert.


They can under special circumstances be made to react with some other elements (usually the halogens).


The more modern name is Noble Gases as they have a fully completed electronic configuration and are difficult to undergo any reaction.

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