0
Because the compounds produced are in a lower energy state (electrically) than the unreacted atoms.
OR
Energy has to be put into a compound to split it into its atomic components.
If you look at the "Noble Gasses" (Helium, Neon, Argon, Krypton etc) they do not react with other atoms to form compounds. This is because they have enough electrons orbiting their nuclei to "fill" or "complete" an entire electron shell - this is a very stable "low energy" position to be in.
Basically, when atoms form compounds, the atoms "share" their outermost electrons in an attempt to complete their electron shells (those with an extra electron sharing this with an atom that has too few).
The short answer is that atoms undergo nuclear reactions because they are unstable.
The slightly longer answer that there are interactions between the strong atomic force, the electromagnetic force, and the weak atomic force that causes nuclei to be unstable.
The strong atomic force holds protons and neutrons together. (It also holds quarks together to form protons and neutrons.) It is an attractive force. It is the strongest force in the universe, at least at the sub-atomic level.
The electromagnetic force holds nuclei and electrons together. It is both attractive, between protons and electrons, and repulsive, between protons and protons. This repulsion between protons is a chief contributor to the instability of larger nuclei. The reason for this is that both forces depend on distance, but the strong force is impacted more by distance than the electromagnetic force. As a result, in larger nuclei, (larger than lead=82), the electromagnetic force starts to win out, and make the nucleus unstable.
Thirdly, is the weak atomic force, which participates in energy exchange between particles. It causes the stability of the nucleus to be dependent on the ratio of protons to neutrons, and can cause radioactivity (instability) even in light nuclides, such as carbon-14.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What is the smallest part of a chemical element that can be combined with other elements to form compounds?
An atom. However it should be noted that generally the valence electrons in an atom take part in a chemical reaction.
Is an atom a compound that can take part in a chemical reaction?
No. An atom is made of Elements. Name of element is decided by number of Protons, containing in it's Nucleus. Two or more different types of elements react with each other to form compound in what is called as chemical reaction.
Why are catalysts reaction specific Iethey are different for different chemical reactions How catalyst modifies the rate of a chemical reaction Why don't they take part react in the chemical reaction?
Catalysis reaction are the generic potential energy. Chemical reactions is the process that leads to the transformation of a set chemical.
What are reactant products?
reactants- the substances that take part in a chemical reactionproducts- the new substances formed after a chemical reaction
What is the name smallest part of an element that can take part in a reaction?
The smallest part of an element that can take part in a chemical reaction is an atom. Atoms are composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons, and they are the building blocks of all matter in the universe.
Substances that are about to take part in a chemical reaction?
Reactants are the substances that are about to take part in a chemical reaction. These are the elements or compounds that are present at the beginning of the reaction and typically undergo a change during the process.
What is the smallest part of a chemical element that can be combined with other elements to form compounds?
An atom. However it should be noted that generally the valence electrons in an atom take part in a chemical reaction.
Which sub-atomic particle creates chemical reaction?
Proton and Neutron do not take part in chemical reaction. Only electron takes part in the reaction.
Is an atom a compound that can take part in a chemical reaction?
No. An atom is made of Elements. Name of element is decided by number of Protons, containing in it's Nucleus. Two or more different types of elements react with each other to form compound in what is called as chemical reaction.
In a chemical reaction what tells you how many atoms or molecules of a reactant or a product take part in a reaction?
A subscript
Why are catalysts reaction specific Iethey are different for different chemical reactions How catalyst modifies the rate of a chemical reaction Why don't they take part react in the chemical reaction?
Catalysis reaction are the generic potential energy. Chemical reactions is the process that leads to the transformation of a set chemical.
What are reactant products?
reactants- the substances that take part in a chemical reactionproducts- the new substances formed after a chemical reaction
Are reactants products?
reactants- the substances that take part in a chemical reactionproducts- the new substances formed after a chemical reaction
What helps start up a chemical change but does not itself take part in the reaction?
Catalyst
What is the name smallest part of an element that can take part in a reaction?
The smallest part of an element that can take part in a chemical reaction is an atom. Atoms are composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons, and they are the building blocks of all matter in the universe.
What is molecule-?
A molecule a group of atoms bonded together, representative of the smallest essential unit of a chemical compound that can take part in a chemical reaction.
What substance takes part in a chemical reaction easily?
Substances that can easily take part in a chemical reaction are generally referred to as "reactants." These are the starting materials that undergo a change in chemical composition to form new products during a reaction. Reactants are typically chosen based on their reactivity and ability to undergo a reaction under specific conditions.
