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It's hard to say how far to go with this. But let's think of it intuitively and see what emerges. So atoms react when they're not completely happy with their current selves.

1. If they have too much energy, they try and lose some (energy is released upon bond formation).

2. If they have not filled their valance shell, they will want to fill it.

So conversely, we can see that atoms with very little energy will not react. At ground state (low energy) they are very stable.

And again, conversely, when their valance shell is filled (see; Noble Gases) they are stable and unreactive....inert even!

This is true of molecules, too. Carbon with no bonds has 4 valance e-....meaning 4 are missing to complete the valance shell. So C on it's own would be incredibly reactive, in fact you'll never see it.

But CH4 means both C and H have filled their valance shells and so it's much more stable and unreactive. Of course, CH4 will react with some things but you can see how filling those valance shells has made a big difference to the stability.

So those are the two big points. Other things, like being a solid, increase stability in some ways. Especially if dissociation is required before a further reaction occurs.

Like H2O in solution is constantly converting to and from H+ and OH-. In ice, this doesn't really occur so much....but again, we have a potential temperature argument. So probably a point best ignored as it becomes something of a semantic argument.

Other things such as whether a reaction is symmetry allowed, sterics and conformation can be very important...but again more to do with specific reactivities than general stability.

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Are atoms with fewer electrons more reactive?

That isn't necessarily true. The Halogens (group 17) follow what you said, but the Alkali metals (group 1) don't. As you go down the column, the elements get more reactive for group 1; Lithium is the least reactive and Francium (speculated) is the most reactive. On the other hand, as you down the Halogens, they do get less reactive. Astatine (speculated) is the least reactive while Fluorine is the most reactive element of them all. Hope that clears up things!


What these nonmetals which one is likely to be the least reactive nitrogen (N) phosphorous (P) sulfur (S) oxygen (O)?

Nitrogen (N) is likely to be the least reactive among the nonmetals listed. It is a diatomic gas with a stable triple bond that makes it less reactive compared to phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), and oxygen (O) which are more readily reactive due to their lower bond strengths.


Which atoms are least likely to be radioactive?

Atoms with stable nuclei are least likely to be radioactive. Typically, atoms with an even number of protons and neutrons are more stable and less likely to undergo radioactive decay. This includes elements such as carbon-12, oxygen-16, and nitrogen-14.


What is the difference between saturated and unsaturated molecules in terms of their chemical structure and properties?

Saturated molecules have single bonds between carbon atoms and are saturated with hydrogen atoms. They are typically solid at room temperature and are less reactive. Unsaturated molecules have at least one double or triple bond between carbon atoms, leading to fewer hydrogen atoms. They are often liquid at room temperature and are more reactive.


What bonds is the least reactive a c-c bh-h c o-h d h-cl?

The least reactive bond is the C-C bond. Single bonds between carbon atoms tend to be relatively stable compared to other bonds like C-O, O-H, or H-Cl, which are more polar or reactive due to differences in electronegativity between the atoms involved.

Related Questions

Least reactive to most reactive elements Lithium potassium Rubidium.?

Rubidium is the least reactive, followed by potassium, and then lithium. This trend is due to the increase in reactivity as you move down the alkali metal group on the periodic table, with larger atoms having more easily discarded outer electrons, making them more reactive.


Are atoms with fewer electrons more reactive?

That isn't necessarily true. The Halogens (group 17) follow what you said, but the Alkali metals (group 1) don't. As you go down the column, the elements get more reactive for group 1; Lithium is the least reactive and Francium (speculated) is the most reactive. On the other hand, as you down the Halogens, they do get less reactive. Astatine (speculated) is the least reactive while Fluorine is the most reactive element of them all. Hope that clears up things!


What atomic number is the least reactive?

You would have to give me number to compare but I would say the one with the higher atomic number. The atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus, so I would assume that the more protons an atom has, the more reactive it is. like with a magnet, if you have two or three magnets, they will be reactive, but if you have seven or eight, they will be much MORE reactive. Hope this helps!


What these nonmetals which one is likely to be the least reactive nitrogen (N) phosphorous (P) sulfur (S) oxygen (O)?

Nitrogen (N) is likely to be the least reactive among the nonmetals listed. It is a diatomic gas with a stable triple bond that makes it less reactive compared to phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), and oxygen (O) which are more readily reactive due to their lower bond strengths.


What are the least reactive noble gases or metalloids?

noble gases are least reactive


Is potassium the least reactive?

no, it is very reactive.


What is the least reactive non metal out of CI I F Br?

The least reactive is bromine.


Is beryllium the most or least reactive in its group?

Beryllium is the least reactive in the group 2.


Which atoms are least likely to be radioactive?

Atoms with stable nuclei are least likely to be radioactive. Typically, atoms with an even number of protons and neutrons are more stable and less likely to undergo radioactive decay. This includes elements such as carbon-12, oxygen-16, and nitrogen-14.


What is the least reactive groups on the periodic table?

Noble gases are least reactive because they have a full shell


What is the difference between saturated and unsaturated molecules in terms of their chemical structure and properties?

Saturated molecules have single bonds between carbon atoms and are saturated with hydrogen atoms. They are typically solid at room temperature and are less reactive. Unsaturated molecules have at least one double or triple bond between carbon atoms, leading to fewer hydrogen atoms. They are often liquid at room temperature and are more reactive.


Why is the noble gases the most stable?

Their valence shells are completely full, so they are least likely to be reactive and are thus most stable.