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The higher the electronegativity of an element, the more reactive it is.

Electronegativity is determined by the atomic number of an element, and the distance from the nucleus of the outer electron shell. The further from the nucleus an outer electron is, the easier it is to break its attraction to the atomic nucleus, and thus, the greater the element's propensity for forming molecular bonds.

This answer is faulty since elements like Cesium are incredibly reactive, but have very low electronegativity and very low ionization energy, the energy to remove electrons. Because of that, elements at the top right and bottom left of the Periodic Table are both very reactive.

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11y ago
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11y ago

The chemical reactivity of an element is determined mainly by two things: Its electron affinity, and its ionization energy.

An element with high electron affinity is most likely to attract more electrons, making that element especially reactive and eager to bond with other compatible atoms.

An element with high ionization energy is also very reactive and eager to bond with other elements, especially those of groups 1 & 2.

It should also be noted that elements with very lowelectron affinity and ionization energy are also very reactive, especially with elements of groups 16 & 17.

The noble gases have neither an electron affinity or ionization energy, making them the most stable and nonreactive elements on the periodic table.

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12y ago

The atomic number and the Atomic Mass determines the atom.

More importantly, the number of electrons determines the bonding characteristics of an atom.

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13y ago

Electrons

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13y ago

Valence electrons

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Q: What determines the chemical reactivity or an element?
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Related questions

Which subatomic particle determines the activity of the element?

In the chemical reactivity of atoms electrons are involved.


What element has a similar chemical reactivity in water as K?

because the k is the reactivity of similar chemical


Why is reactivity not a physical property?

Reactivity is not a physical property because it's a characteristic of a chemical element or compound and is involved in chemical process.


Why is reactivity not a property?

Reactivity is not a physical property because it's a characteristic of a chemical element or compound and is involved in chemical process.


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The number of loosely held electrons determines the reactivity of an element. Other elements attract electrons and will react also.


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This property is called chemical reactivity.


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A physical change doesn't involve chemical reactions, change of the molecule structure.The chemical reactivity is about the ability of an element or compound to realize chemical reactions.


How do you spell magnesium?

That is the correct spelling of "magnesium" -- a chemical element known for its reactivity.


How easily an element reacts with other elements is a measure of its what?

Measure of its chemical reactivity.


Where is the special feature that determines the family name and chemical reactivity of the organic compound it is found?

Functional Group


As the elements in Group 17 are considered in order of increasing atomic number the chemical reactivity of each successive element decreases increases or remains the same?

The chemical reactivity decreases in group 17 as you go down the group.


How does reactivity correlate to each elements location on the periodic table?

Reactivity is associated with position. Chemical properties of element can be determined from its position.