What is Chemically inert?
{{no sources|date=October 2019}} {{enWiktionary|inert}} In [[chemistry]], the term '''inert''' is used to describe something that is not chemically active. The [[noble gas]]es were described as being inert because they did not [[Chemical reaction|react]] with the other [[chemical element|elements]] or themselves. Inert gases are completely inert to basic [[chemical reaction]]s (such as [[combustion]], for example) because their outer [[electron shell|valence shell]] is completely filled with [[electrons]]. With a filled outer valence shell, an inert atom is not able to acquire or lose an electron, and is therefore not able to participate in most chemical reactions. For inert atoms or molecules, a lot of energy is involved before it can combine with other elements to form compounds. A high temperature and [[pressure]] is necessary, and sometimes requires the presence of a [[catalyst]]. For example, [[Nitrogen|elemental nitrogen]] is inert under standard room conditions and exists as a [[diatomic]] molecule, N<sub>2</sub>. The inertness of nitrogen is due to the presence of the very strong triple [[covalent bond]] in the N<sub>2</sub> molecule. Inert atmospheres of gases such as [[carbon dioxide]], nitrogen and [[argon]] are routinely used in working with processes that will go wrong if air or water is present. For example, some [[welding]] must be done in argon so the material will not burn. {{chem-stub}} [[Category:Chemical nomenclature]] [[Category:Noble gases]]