Video Transcript
In general, how many electrons are
in the outer level of an atom of an inert gas such as neon? (A) Four, (B) six, (C) eight, (D)
10, or (E) 12.
The question mentions neon, which
is found in group 18 of the periodic table. Neon is a noble gas. Noble gases are typically
inert. The other inert noble gases are
also found in group 18 of the periodic table. We need to find out how many
electrons there are in the outer level of these inert elements.
Atoms tend to be stable and
chemically inert if they have eight electrons in their outer energy level, whereas
atoms tend to be chemically active, or reactive, if they have fewer than eight
electrons in their outer energy level. We know that inert species tend to
have eight electrons in their outer energy level. And excluding helium, this is true
for the inert noble gases.
Therefore, the answer to the
question is (C), eight.
