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Your question makes no sense. Why is what atom less reactive?? If you're asking why some atoms are less reactive than others then the answer is electron structure and numbers.
Some atoms have more protons pulling on their electrons meaning those electrons will be harder to separate from the atom. You can think of this as a "tug-of-war", if we think of the rope as the most loosely bound electron in each atom then both atoms pull on the electrons, but with different strengths. Either the rope stays almost unmoved, suggesting both atoms are pulling with about the same strength (a covalent bond) or one team completely pulls the rope away from the other, suggesting one atom is a lot stronger (an ionic bond). In terms of reactivity things are a lot more spectacular when one atom is far stronger than the other. More reactive atoms either have a very strong or very weak pull on their electrons. In the case of the "tug-of-war" metaphor the most reactive atoms would be bodybuilders and babies, any average team (or average atom) that pulls against a bunch of bodybuilders will definitely lose and if this average team pulls against babies they'll definitely win. If a bunch of bodybuilders had a tug-of-war with a bunch of babies we'd see a very quick match with a lot more injuries (i.e. a more vigorous reaction).
The other main factor is what is known as "screening". This is the effect of the electrons between the most loosely bound electron and the nucleus on the pull the nucleus exerts on that electron. My chemistry teacher always explains it like this: Imagine you are in a classroom full of students (representing electrons) and the teacher (the nucleus) is at his desk, at the front of the class. It is the teachers (nucleus's) job to keep all his students (electrons) in the classroom (the atom). It is obvious, in this case, that the guy in the back of the class will have the easiest time sneaking out of the class because the teacher has so many students between him and the guy at the back of the class he mightn't even notice that the guy has snuck out. It naturally follows that the fewer rows of seats (electron shells) in the room (atom) the harder it will be for the guy (he's the most loosely bound electron, by the way) to escape to somewhere else. So if there are fewer rows of students between the teacher and student the teacher will see any attempt that student makes to escape and stop it. Similarly, in the atom the more electrons and electron shells between the nucleus and the electron the harder it will be for that electron to escape its grasp.
To put this whole thing as simply as possible the more reactive atoms are the ones that will pull the hardest on electrons or pretty much let the other atom have them, putting up no fight. However, as I've explained above the main reasons an atom would pull hard on or relinquish its electrons are a little bit more complicated.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoall elements are classified into groups depending on how many electrons it has on the outer shell. the first shell has two electrons the second and the subsequent shells have 8 or are supposed to have 8, so elements that have 7 on the outer shell and need 1 more so they are the most reactive on the other hand elements that have eight on the outer shell like neon gold silver platinum are not reactive cuz they don't need any electrons.
hope that helped,
ps I'm a kid not a teenager or a man
I'm just really smart:)
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoAtoms are reactive because they are unstable. So, in order to achieve stability, they react with other substances forming bonds with them. Some of they react by gaining electrons, some by loosing electrons and some by sharing of electrons.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoan extra shell is added therefore further from positive nucleus and lower energy levels
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoThe unique electron configuration of their atoms.
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What mental is more reactive than zinc?
There are many metals that are more reactive than zinc. To find out which these metals are, you can look at a reactivity series. Some examples of metals more reactive than zinc are sodium, potassium, magnesium & aluminium.
Firework contain metals that brightly colored when burned. They are less reactive than some other metals. Which metal is one example?
Mg
Why most of the transition metal not displace hydrogen in acid?
because some metals are less reactive than hydrogen.
What two processes are used to extract metals?
There are 3 means of extracting metals that are used more than any others and they are: Reduction with carbon: An ore of a metal which is less reactive than carbon is heated with carbon and the more reactive carbon will separate the metallic element from its ore e.g extraction of Iron in a blast furnace Electrolysis: An electrical current is passed through a solution of the metal ore and the metal is split from its ore and collects at an electrode, this is done for metals more reactive than carbon Extraction by other metals: As some metals are more reactive than the other this can be used to split up the metallic ore, an example of this is the extraction of Titanium which involves the use of several other more reactive metals.
Are nonmetals least reactive?
Some are but the most reactive are also non-metals.
What mental is more reactive than zinc?
There are many metals that are more reactive than zinc. To find out which these metals are, you can look at a reactivity series. Some examples of metals more reactive than zinc are sodium, potassium, magnesium & aluminium.
Is most metals reactive.?
It is not true; some metals are not so reactive and noble metals are practically unreactive.
Difference between s-block metals and d-block metals?
the s-block elements are highly reactive elements, on the other hand, d-block elements are less reactive than the alkai metals and the alkai-earth metals. some are so reactive that they do not easily form compounds.
What are some non reactive metals?
There is no "group" of metals that are unreactive. However, metals that are low on the reactivity series are unreactive. Examples: Gold, Silver, Titanium The Noble gasses are a group on the periodic table that are largely unreactive.
What two groups are less reactive?
Inert gasses are completely non reactive. The next least reactive would be some where in the middle of the periodic table (probably precious metals).
Fireworks contain metals that are brightly colored when burned. They are less reactive than some other metals. Which metal is one example?
Mg
Firework contain metals that brightly colored when burned. They are less reactive than some other metals. Which metal is one example?
Mg
Is metal virtually un reactive?
Some metals, notably potassium and sodium are highy reactive. Others eg bronze are much less so.
Why does metals corrode more quickly near the sea?
Because some metals are reactive and corrode in sea water
Why most of the transition metal not displace hydrogen in acid?
because some metals are less reactive than hydrogen.
What is the most reactive non metal?
there are many non metals that are very very reactive. some are even more reactive than some certain metals. there are no exact answers to that but according to me, it should be fluorine. HOPE THIS PIECE OF INFORMATION PROVES TO BE USEFUL
What two processes are used to extract metals?
There are 3 means of extracting metals that are used more than any others and they are: Reduction with carbon: An ore of a metal which is less reactive than carbon is heated with carbon and the more reactive carbon will separate the metallic element from its ore e.g extraction of Iron in a blast furnace Electrolysis: An electrical current is passed through a solution of the metal ore and the metal is split from its ore and collects at an electrode, this is done for metals more reactive than carbon Extraction by other metals: As some metals are more reactive than the other this can be used to split up the metallic ore, an example of this is the extraction of Titanium which involves the use of several other more reactive metals.
