Which of the following gases is not inert?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following gases is not inert?

Explanation:
Inert gases are the noble gases, whose outer electron shells are full, making them very unreactive under ordinary conditions. Helium, neon, and argon are those noble gases, so they behave as inert atmospheric gases. Carbon dioxide, on the other hand, is a molecule composed of carbon and oxygen and can participate in chemical reactions—it's not limited to staying inert. For example, it reacts with water to form carbonic acid (and with bases like calcium hydroxide to form calcium carbonate and water). That reactivity shows it is not inert. Therefore, carbon dioxide is not inert.

Inert gases are the noble gases, whose outer electron shells are full, making them very unreactive under ordinary conditions. Helium, neon, and argon are those noble gases, so they behave as inert atmospheric gases. Carbon dioxide, on the other hand, is a molecule composed of carbon and oxygen and can participate in chemical reactions—it's not limited to staying inert. For example, it reacts with water to form carbonic acid (and with bases like calcium hydroxide to form calcium carbonate and water). That reactivity shows it is not inert. Therefore, carbon dioxide is not inert.

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