Chemistry 12th Edition

Published by McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN 10: 0078021510
ISBN 13: 978-0-07802-151-0

Chapter 21 - Metallurgy and the Chemistry of Metals - Questions & Problems - Page 953: 21.38

Answer

Even though Helium and the Group 2A metals have $ns^{2}$ outer electron configurations, Helium has a closed shell noble gas configuration and the Group 2A metals do not. The electrons in He are much closer to and more strongly attracted by the nucleus. Hence, the electrons in He are not easily removed. Helium is inert.

Work Step by Step

Even though Helium and the Group 2A metals have $ns^{2}$ outer electron configurations, Helium has a closed shell noble gas configuration and the Group 2A metals do not. The electrons in He are much closer to and more strongly attracted by the nucleus. Hence, the electrons in He are not easily removed. Helium is inert.
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