The electrons
The electrons in an atom are primarily responsible for chemical reactions.
The nucleus of an atom is not involved in chemical reactions. The nucleus contains protons and neutrons, which do not participate in chemical bonding or reactions. Chemical reactions involve the electrons in the outer energy levels of an atom.
The outer shell electrons of an atom are involved in chemical bonding
No. Only the electrons in the outer most shell take part in chemical reactions.
A standard chemical reaction always and only involves a change in the electron configuration of the atom (either the number of electrons or their energy configuration).If the nucleus is affected (either the number of protons or electrons), then it is designated as a nuclear reaction, and this is quite different.
Electrons are the parts of an atom that participate in chemical reactions. Specifically, it is the outermost electrons, known as valence electrons, that are involved in forming chemical bonds with other atoms.
Chemical reactions occur in the outermost shell of an atom, known as the valence shell. This is where electrons are involved in bonding with other atoms to form molecules. The interactions between these valence electrons determine the chemical properties and reactivity of an atom.
The valence electrons of the atom.
Chemical reactions are a result of valence electron transfer and/or sharing. Valence electrons are located in the outer-most orbitals of the reactant elements. In a sense, though, you could say protons are also involved in chemical reactions. Although an element will never donate, accept, or share protons in a CHEMICAL reaction, they are part of the determination in an elements reactivity. Reactions that do involve protons are termed "nuclear reactions," and are not chemical reactions. In fact, a lot of the methods used to determine chemical reactions -- such as enthalpy -- cannot even be applied to nuclear reactions. Neutrons, like protons are involved in nuclear reactions, but never in chemical reactions. Hope this helps!
The outermost electrons, located in the atom's electron cloud, determine how it will react with other atoms. These electrons are involved in chemical reactions as they interact with electrons from other atoms to form chemical bonds.
coefficients
the outer energy level electrons.