Question

Why are inert gases fairly unreactive?

Answer 1

Inert gases possess a full valence shell of electrons.......

Explanation:

And thus the inert gases, `"He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe` are difficult to reduce (because we have to add electrons to a full valence shell), and difficult to oxidize, (because we have to remove electrons from a full valence shell). In fact, xenon has a fairly rich reaction chemistry. We should note, however, that xenon is so far known to react only with the MOST reactive elements, i.e. fluorine or oxygen.......