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What Happens to an Atom's Structure During Chemical Reactions?

During a chemical reaction, the way atoms are put together changes because of the movement of electrons.

How Electrons Act:

  • Electrons help create bonds between atoms.

  • The electrons that are farthest from the center of the atom (called valence electrons) usually take part in these reactions.

Making and Breaking Bonds:

  • Atoms join together through different types of bonds, like ionic or covalent bonds.

  • Typically, in a reaction, scientists break about 1 to 4 bonds for each molecule.

Protons and Neutrons Stay the Same:

  • The number of protons and neutrons in the center part of the atom (nucleus) does not change.

  • The atomic identity, or what makes each element unique, stays the same and is shown by the atomic number.

So, in chemical reactions, the only thing that changes is how the electrons are arranged. This leads to the creation of new substances, but the basic identity of the elements remains unchanged.

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What Happens to an Atom's Structure During Chemical Reactions?

During a chemical reaction, the way atoms are put together changes because of the movement of electrons.

How Electrons Act:

  • Electrons help create bonds between atoms.

  • The electrons that are farthest from the center of the atom (called valence electrons) usually take part in these reactions.

Making and Breaking Bonds:

  • Atoms join together through different types of bonds, like ionic or covalent bonds.

  • Typically, in a reaction, scientists break about 1 to 4 bonds for each molecule.

Protons and Neutrons Stay the Same:

  • The number of protons and neutrons in the center part of the atom (nucleus) does not change.

  • The atomic identity, or what makes each element unique, stays the same and is shown by the atomic number.

So, in chemical reactions, the only thing that changes is how the electrons are arranged. This leads to the creation of new substances, but the basic identity of the elements remains unchanged.

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