Which family contains elements with a full octet of valence electrons?A.The alkali metalsB.The actinidesC.The noble gasesD.The halogens

Answer

The family that contains elements with a full octet of valence electrons is C. The noble gases.

Explanation

1. Full Octet Definition: A full octet refers to having eight electrons in the outermost shell, which gives elements a stable electronic configuration.

2. Noble Gases Characteristics: Noble gases, such as helium (He), neon (Ne), argon (Ar), krypton (Kr), xenon (Xe), and radon (Rn), naturally have full valence electron shells, making them largely unreactive. This is in contrast to:

   • Alkali Metals: They have one electron in their outer shell and are highly reactive.
   • Actinides: These elements do not have a full outer shell and exhibit a range of electron configurations.
   • Halogens: They have seven electrons in their outer shell and are also very reactive, seeking one additional electron to achieve a full octet.

In summary, the noble gases are unique in their complete octet, leading to their stability and low reactivity.