Among noble gases (from He to Xe ) only xenon reacts with fluorine to form stable fluorides because xenon :

Options

A. has the largest size
B. has the lowest ionization enthalpy
C. has the highest heat of vaporization
D. is the most readily available noble gas

Answer

To solve the question regarding why xenon is the only noble gas that reacts with fluorine to form stable fluorides, we can analyze the properties of xenon compared to other noble gases.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Noble Gases**:
Noble gases are located in Group 18 of the periodic table and are known for their lack of reactivity due to having a full valence shell of electrons.

2. **Identifying the Noble Gases**:
The noble gases from helium (He) to xenon (Xe) are:
- Helium (He)
- Neon (Ne)
- Argon (Ar)
- Krypton (Kr)
- Xenon (Xe)

3. **Reactivity of Noble Gases**:
While noble gases are generally inert, xenon is unique among them as it can form stable compounds, particularly with highly electronegative elements like fluorine.

4. **Ionization Energy**:
The ability of an atom to form compounds is often related to its ionization energy. Ionization energy is the energy required to remove an electron from an atom. As we move down the group from helium to xenon, the ionization energy decreases.

5. **Xenon’s Ionization Energy**:
Xenon has the lowest ionization energy among the noble gases, which allows it to lose an electron more easily compared to the other noble gases. This property makes xenon more reactive, enabling it to form stable fluorides with fluorine.

6. **Conclusion**:
Therefore, the reason xenon reacts with fluorine to form stable fluorides is primarily due to its lowest ionization energy among the noble gases.

### Final Answer:
Xenon reacts with fluorine to form stable fluorides because it has the lowest ionization energy among the noble gases.