What unique characteristic does the element Radon have among the following options?

What unique characteristic does the element Radon have among the following options?

• A. It is an alkali metal
• B. It is a noble gas
• C. It is a halogen
• D. It is an alkaline earth metal

Answer: (B)

Radon is classified as a noble gas, which is a unique characteristic among the options provided. Noble gases, which include elements like helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon, are known for being colorless, odorless, and tasteless gases at room temperature. They are located in Group 18 of the periodic table and are characterized by their full valence electron shell, which makes them largely unreactive under standard conditions. This stability is what differentiates noble gases from other groups on the periodic table, such as alkali metals, halogens, and alkaline earth metals, each of which have varying reactivity and electron configurations. In contrast, alkali metals (found in Group 1) are highly reactive and can easily lose one electron, halogens (Group 17) are also reactive and tend to gain or share electrons, while alkaline earth metals (Group 2) have a tendency to lose two electrons. Radon's classification as a noble gas emphasizes its inert nature and positions it distinctly apart from elements with differing reactivity profiles.

Radon is classified as a noble gas, which is a unique characteristic among the options provided. Noble gases, which include elements like helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon, are known for being colorless, odorless, and tasteless gases at room temperature. They are located in Group 18 of the periodic table and are characterized by their full valence electron shell, which makes them largely unreactive under standard conditions. This stability is what differentiates noble gases from other groups on the periodic table, such as alkali metals, halogens, and alkaline earth metals, each of which have varying reactivity and electron configurations.

In contrast, alkali metals (found in Group 1) are highly reactive and can easily lose one electron, halogens (Group 17) are also reactive and tend to gain or share electrons, while alkaline earth metals (Group 2) have a tendency to lose two electrons. Radon's classification as a noble gas emphasizes its inert nature and positions it distinctly apart from elements with differing reactivity profiles.