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Helium does not usually react with other substances. Does this mean that helium has no chemical properties? Please explain.

Answer :

The electron "shell" (or orbitals) for helium is full with two electrons. It, like hydrogen, follows the duet rule. This means that it is "happy" and not very reactive once it has two elections in its shell. For helium, it is inert (doesn't react, no chemical properties) if it keeps the electrons in its shell. If, however, one were to remove an electron (ionize it) the atom would be helium, as it has 2 protons, but would react with elements that have 1 valence electron in order to get the full shell. This is VERY uncommon simply because it takes a great amount of energy to remove the electron the process is not very useful. The answer to your question is essentially, no like other noble gases, helium does not have chemical properties.

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