Inert facts for kids

In chemistry, the word inert describes something that is not very active in chemical reactions. Think of it like a shy person at a party who doesn't join in the games. Inert substances don't easily mix or change with other chemicals.

The noble gases are a great example of inert elements. These gases, like helium and neon, were first called inert because they almost never reacted with other elements or even with themselves. They are very stable and prefer to stay on their own.

Why Are Some Things Inert?

The Role of Electrons

Atoms are made of a central part called the nucleus and tiny particles called electrons that orbit around it. These electrons are arranged in layers or "shells." The outermost shell is called the valence shell. It's like the outer layer of an onion.

For an atom to be stable and happy, its valence shell usually needs to be full of electrons. Atoms react with each other to gain, lose, or share electrons so their valence shells can become full.

Full Electron Shells

Inert atoms, especially the noble gases, already have a completely full outer valence shell. This means they don't need to gain or lose any electrons to become stable. Because they are already "happy" and stable, they don't easily participate in chemical reactions. They don't need to combine with other elements to form new substances.

Making Inert Substances React

Even though inert atoms or molecules are very stable, it is sometimes possible to make them react. However, it takes a lot of energy to force them to combine with other elements.

To get an inert substance to react, you often need:

• Very high temperatures.
• Very high pressures.
• Sometimes, a special helper called a catalyst. A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being used up itself. It helps the reaction happen more easily.

Nitrogen: An Everyday Inert Gas

Nitrogen is a common example of an inert gas. It makes up about 78% of the air we breathe! Under normal conditions, like room temperature and pressure, elemental nitrogen exists as a diatomic molecule. This means it's made of two nitrogen atoms bonded together, written as N₂.

The reason nitrogen gas (N₂) is so inert is because of the very strong triple covalent bond between the two nitrogen atoms. A covalent bond is when atoms share electrons. A triple bond means they share three pairs of electrons, making it incredibly strong and hard to break. This strong bond makes it difficult for nitrogen to react with other substances.

Uses of Inert Gases

Because inert gases don't easily react, they are very useful in many areas, especially in chemistry and industry.

Protecting Sensitive Materials

Inert atmospheres are often used in chemical reactions where substances are sensitive to air or water. For example, some chemicals react strongly with oxygen or water vapor in the air. To protect these sensitive compounds, scientists work with them inside special containers filled with inert gases like argon or dinitrogen (N₂). This creates a safe environment where unwanted reactions can't happen.

Other Uses

• Food Packaging: Inert gases like nitrogen are used to fill food packages (like chip bags) to keep food fresh longer by preventing it from reacting with oxygen.
• Light Bulbs: Argon gas is used in incandescent light bulbs to stop the filament from burning out too quickly.
• Welding: Inert gases protect hot metals from reacting with air during welding.