Chemical reactivity

Definition

The ability of a substance to undergo chemical changes and interact with other substances. It is determined by the substance's atomic structure and electron configuration.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Chemical reactivity is influenced by the arrangement of electrons in an atom's outer shell.
2. Elements in the same group of the periodic table often exhibit similar reactivity patterns.
3. Ionic and covalent bonds are formed based on an element’s reactivity.
4. Reactivity can determine how molecules interact to form more complex compounds essential for biological processes.
5. The presence of isotopes can affect the reactivity of an element due to differences in nuclear stability.

Review Questions

• How does electron configuration influence chemical reactivity?
• Why do elements in the same group of the periodic table have similar reactivities?
• What role does chemical reactivity play in the formation of biological molecules?

Related terms

Atom: The smallest unit of matter that retains all chemical properties of an element.

Isotope: Variants of a particular chemical element which differ in neutron number, and consequently in nucleon number.

Molecule: A group of atoms bonded together, representing the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound that can take part in a chemical reaction.