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The elements neon and argon are found in group 18 and are not reactive with other elements. Which hypothesis BEST explains this? They tend to give up all of their valence electrons easily. They are not stable atoms. They are not readily available on Earth. They have the maximum possible number of electrons in their outermost shell.

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Answer

They have the maximum possible number of electrons in their outermost shell.

Explanation

The reactivity of elements, especially non-metals, is largely determined by their electronic configuration, particularly in the outermost or valence shell. Elements that have a complete or full valence shell—with the maximum number of electrons it can hold—tend to be unreactive or inert because they have achieved a stable electronic configuration. This scenario is typical for noble gases like neon and argon. In this regard, they don't readily lose, gain, or share electrons. Therefore, the other options which suggest that neon and argon are not stable, not readily available, or easily giving up their valence electrons don’t accurately capture their non-reactive nature.

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