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Why did scientists replace the name inert gases with noble gases?
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noble gas
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The term "inert gases" was originally used to describe the elements in Group 18 because they were believed to be entirely unreactive. However, this name became inaccurate in the 1960s when scientists successfully induced some members of the family—specifically krypton and xenon—to form chemical compounds.12
Consequently, the name was replaced with "noble gas" to better reflect the chemical behavior of these elements. While the term "noble" implies a certain chemical aloofness or reluctance to react, it acknowledges that these elements are not strictly or totally inert.1