Can every atom be transformed into a noble gas?

  • #1
CGandC
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Is noble gas defined as an atom that can be brought to have a valence shell completely filled with electrons? ( even if the atom, as we are observing it now doesn't have its valence shell completely filled? )
'noble gas' is defined as an atom with its valence shell completely filled to its capacity with electrons.

Assuming I take an arbitrary atom ( with its valence shell not necessarily completely filled yet ) and assuming I am either adding electrons to it or removing electrons from it or doing nothing, and assuming it is possible to reach some state in which the atom has a highest energy level ( out of all occupied shells ) completely filled with electrons to its fullest capacity - is such an atom defined as a noble gas?

If yes, can every atom be made into a noble gas ( at-least for a short period of time )? ( i.e. an atom that can be reached into a configuration in which some shell will be a valence shell and will be completely filled with electrons )
 
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  • #2
You are mixing two things. Noble gas is an element with a completely filled valence shell. Yes, you can reach the noble gas configuration for most atoms. It won't make them other element they already are (what is the basic property shared by all atoms of any given element?).
 
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  • #3
Noble gases, as identified in the Periodic Table etc., are considered to be in their ground state. On the other hand, the definition is of some historical value, for we know now that some of the so-called noble gases can participate in chemical compounds; for instance, xenon.
 
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  • #4
Thanks for the answers, it cleared up what I've wanted to know :)
 

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