noble gas
English
editNoun
editnoble gas (plural noble gases)
- (chemistry) Any of the elements of group 18 of the periodic table, being monatomic and (with very limited exceptions) inert.
Usage notes
editWhen the term was coined, all known group 18 elements were unreactive gases. This may not be true for the recently discovered superheavy element oganesson, though experiments cannot yet be carried out because of its short lifetime. Chemists usually include oganesson as a noble gas to extend the term to all of group 18, though those specialising in the chemistry of superheavy elements may exclude it.
Synonyms
editHypernyms
editTranslations
editelement of group 18 of the periodic table
|