Noble gases are unreactive due to their stable electron configuration from "summary" of The Periodic Table: A Very Short Introduction by Eric R. Scerri
The noble gases occupy the last column of the periodic table, known as Group 18 or Group 0. These elements are characterized by their extremely low reactivity, a property that distinguishes them from the other elements. This lack of reactivity can be attributed to the stable electron configuration that noble gases possess. The stable electron configuration of noble gases is achieved through having a full outer shell of electrons, typically eight electrons for most elements. This full outer shell satisfies the octet rule, a principle in chemistry that states that atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons in order to achieve a full outer shell. Due to their full outer shell of electrons, noble gases do not readily form chemical bonds with other elements. This contrasts with many other elements, which tend to react with one another in order to achieve a more stable el...
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