Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

What does the term 'inert gases' refer to?

1. Gases that burn easily in air.

2. Gases that do not readily react with other elements.

3. Gases that are always found in liquid form at room temperature.

4. Gases with high boiling points.

The correct answer is: Gases that do not readily react with other elements.

The term 'inert gases' specifically refers to gases that do not readily react with other elements. This characteristic is due to their complete valence electron shells, which make them stable and less likely to form bonds with other elements. Because of this stability, inert gases, also known as noble gases (like helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon), typically do not participate in chemical reactions under standard conditions. This quality distinguishes them from other gases that are more reactive. Gases that burn easily in air indicate a tendency to react with oxygen, which is contrary to the nature of inert gases. Similarly, while some gases may be found in liquid form at certain temperatures, inert gases at room temperature are generally gases and not liquids. Furthermore, inert gases do not have high boiling points; their boiling points vary but are often quite low compared to other types of substances. Thus, the defining aspect of inert gases is their lack of reactivity under typical conditions.