Radon is

Radon is

an inert gas
an artificial fibre
an explosive
a metal
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2017
The question asks for the classification of Radon.
Radon (Rn) is a chemical element with atomic number 86. It is a radioactive gas. Based on its position in the periodic table (Group 18), Radon belongs to the group of noble gases (also known as inert gases). Noble gases are characterized by their filled valence electron shells, making them very unreactive chemically.
Let’s evaluate the options:
A) an inert gas: Correct. Radon is a noble gas, which is synonymous with being an inert gas due to its very low chemical reactivity.
B) an artificial fibre: Incorrect. Artificial fibres are synthetic textiles (e.g., nylon, polyester).
C) an explosive: Incorrect. Explosives are substances that undergo rapid expansion in volume with the release of large amounts of energy (e.g., TNT, gunpowder).
D) a metal: Incorrect. Radon is a non-metal (specifically, a gas at standard conditions).
Radon is a decay product of radium, which is itself a decay product of uranium. It is the heaviest noble gas. All isotopes of radon are radioactive. Radon is a significant environmental hazard, as it can accumulate in buildings, particularly basements, posing a health risk (lung cancer) due to inhalation of its radioactive decay products.
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