Definition

1. Noun:
   • A chemically inert gaseous element: A noble gas is any of the group of chemical elements that are typically odorless, colorless, and have very low chemical reactivity under standard conditions. They are located in Group 18 of the periodic table.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Helium is a noble gas used to fill balloons.
  • The stability of a noble gas is due to its full outer electron shell.
  • Argon, a noble gas, is often used in light bulbs to prevent filament oxidation.

Advanced Usage

• "Noble gas configuration": Referring to the electron configuration of an atom that has a complete valence shell, similar to that of a noble gas atom, which is associated with chemical stability.
  • Atoms often gain or lose electrons to achieve a noble gas configuration.

Variants and Related Words

• Inert gas: A term sometimes used interchangeably with "noble gas," though "inert gas" can technically include other non-reactive gases.
• Rare gas: An older term for noble gas, as they were once thought to be rare in the Earth's atmosphere.
• Group 18 element: The formal periodic table group designation for these elements.

Synonyms

• Inert gas
• Rare gas (dated)

Related Phrases

• Noble gas compound: A chemical compound containing a noble gas atom, which are typically difficult to form due to the gases' low reactivity.
  • Xenon tetrafluoride is an example of a noble gas compound.

Noun

1. any of the chemically inert gaseous elements of the helium group in the periodic table