Are inert gases joined in pairs to form diatomic molecules?

1 Answer
May 3, 2017

The answer is no.................

Explanation:

Inert gases are discrete, atomic particles. Their molecules exist as individual atoms of the inert gas, with no interaction between them. Of course this so-called #"molecularity"# of the inert gases relates to the electronic structure of the atoms, in which the valence shell of the gas is completely filled.

Inert gases, helium, neon, argon, etc. are thus exceptionally INERT chemically.

On the other hand, most gases (certainly the atmospheric gases) ARE diatomic. Chemists often refer to dinitrogen, and dioxygen to emphasize this molecularity. Both the chalcogens, and the halogens are binuclear as the element, though not all are gaseous under standard conditions.