What characterizes inert elements in relation to chemical bonding?

Inert elements, often referred to as noble gases, are characterized by having complete valence shells. This configuration means that their outermost energy level is fully filled with electrons, making them stable and generally unreactive in chemical reactions. Because they do not seek to gain or lose electrons, they are less likely to form bonds with other elements. This stability is the reason why they are termed “inert”; they do not readily participate in chemical bonding processes.

In contrast, elements with incomplete valence shells tend to react more readily with other elements to achieve a stable electron configuration, while highly reactive elements have a strong tendency to either gain or lose electrons to fill their outer shells. Inert elements maintain their complete valence shells, thereby exhibiting minimal to no reactivity.