Which group is known as the noble gases and is characterized by having a full octet of valence electrons?

The group known as noble gases consists of elements that have a full octet of valence electrons, which typically results in them being very stable and unreactive under standard conditions. This full octet refers to having eight electrons in their outermost electron shell, leading to a complete and stable electronic configuration. The elements classified as noble gases include helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon.

This stability is due to the fact that these elements do not need to lose, gain, or share electrons to achieve a stable configuration, making them largely inert and non-reactive. This characteristic contrasts with other groups such as the transition metals, halogens, and alkali earth metals, which either have incomplete outer shells or actively seek to reach a stable electron configuration through chemical reactions. The noble gases are unique because their atomic structures naturally fulfill the octet rule, thereby rendering them particularly stable and less likely to participate in chemical bonding compared to other elements on the periodic table.