How do noble gases differ from most other elements?

Noble gases differ from most other elements primarily in their physical properties, notably being colorless and odorless gases at room temperature. This characteristic is a direct result of their atomic structure. Noble gases, such as helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon, possess a complete valence shell, which contributes to their lack of color and odor. This stable electron configuration makes them generally unreactive compared to other elements, allowing them to remain in their gaseous state without forming compounds.

While other elements can also exist in forms that are colorless and odorless, noble gases consistently exhibit these traits under standard conditions, differentiating them from the majority of elements that often have observable colors and odors due to their interactions and chemical reactivity.