Question

Reactions between atoms occur when:

Answer 1

Answer; All the above

A) an atom seeks to fill its outer shell of electrons

B) an atom seeks to balance its positive and negative charges

C) the reaction will result in paired electrons

Explanation;

-In a chemical reaction, reactants contact each other, bonds between atoms in the reactants are broken, and atoms rearrange and form new bonds to make the products.

-During a chemical reaction an atom may lose of gain electrons resulting positive and negative ions (ionic bond formation) or may result to the paired electrons (sharing of electrons).

Answer 2

Explanation:

A chemical reaction is a reaction which results in the formation of a new compound. This new compound can be formed by sharing of electrons between the reactants or by donation of electron(s) from one reactant to another.

For example, $2Na + Cl_{2} \rightarrow 2NaCl$ is a chemical reaction as it leads to formation of new compounds by donation of electrons.

A chemical reaction can also occur when atoms balance their positive or negative charge because during this process there is also exchange of electrons occurring.

Therefore, we can conclude that reactions between atoms occur when:

• an atom seeks to fill its outer shell of electrons

• an atom seeks to balance its positive and negative charges  

• the reaction will result in paired electrons