Final answer:
The noble gases are helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon, which were initially believed to be nonreactive. However, they can actually react with other elements under certain conditions. These gases have various uses, including in inert atmospheres and neon signs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The noble gases consist of helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon. They earned the name "noble" because they were initially believed to be nonreactive due to their filled valence shells.
However, in 1962, Dr. Neil Bartlett at the University of British Columbia disproved this assumption by showing that noble gases can indeed react with other elements under certain conditions.
These gases are known for their inactivity and are frequently used in applications such as inert atmospheres, neon signs, and coolants. The heaviest noble gases, such as xenon, can even form compounds with fluorine.
Learn more about Noble gases