Atoms, Molecules and Elements Essay

Atoms, molecules and elements are the building blocks of everything we can see, hear, and touch. Though not visible to the naked eye, it is the combination of millions of these tiny substances that make us who and what we are today. Many elements make up the world around us, and each element reacts differently to its surroundings. The definition of reactivity as pertained to chemistry states, â€Å"The relative capacity of an atom, molecule, or radical to undergo a chemical reaction with another atom, molecule, or compound† (Reactivity, 2014). The reactivity of some elements or gases is greater than that of others. When Dmitri Mendeleev created the periodic table he arranged the elements based on their relative atomic mass. Alkali metals are very reactive when mixed with other elements and are placed in Group 1A of the periodic table. There are also extremely reactive nonmetal elements called halogens and are known to be in group 7A in the periodic table. Both the alkali metal s and the halogens (nonmetals) on considered to be main group elements. When the number of outer shell electrons is closer to one or seven the higher the elements reactivity. Alkali metals contain a single electron in their outer shell which makes them highly reactive and halogens contain only seven electrons in their outer shell. Noble gases, such as helium, are not reactive because they are chemically stable and will not combine with other elements. Hâ‚‚S and Hâ‚‚O are molecules formed from atoms that share similar properties. While the molecular structure of these compounds looks similar they are actually very different. When Hâ‚‚O is combined a liquid is formed whereas Hâ‚‚S forms a gas. What is meant by the electronic structure of an atom? This describes how the electrons are organized around the nucleus of an atom. The protons and electrons of an atom both have an electrical charge. While a proton has a positive charge, an electron has a negative charge and when moving toward each other they will be attracted to each other. When two protons move toward each other they will repel away, as is true with two electrons. â€Å"The more energy an electron has, the farther from the nucleus it will be, thus electrons are arranged in shells at various distances from the nucleus according to how much energy they have† (Science Southwestern Advantage, 2011, p. 319). The charge of an atom works much like that of a magnet, if you try to put the two negative ends together they will push apart. Knowing the electronic  structure of an atom helps chemists to predict the outcome of chemical reactions by knowing if the properties will be attracted to each other or repel from one another. With all that scientists know about atoms, molecules, and elements I am sure there is much more to learn. Knowing how metals, gases, and elements work together can assist in predicting the outcome of experiments. References Reactivity. (2014, July 7). Retrieved from Dictionary.com: http://dictionary.reference.com Science Southwestern Advantage. (2011). Nashville: Southwestern/Great American Inc.