Question

During chemical reactions, bonds between atoms break and form. What does this mean in terms of subatomic particles?

Answer 1

In terms of subatomic particles, during chemical reactions, the electrons in the outermost energy levels of the atoms are involved in the breaking and forming of bonds. When a bond is broken, electrons are transferred or shared between atoms, leading to the formation of new molecules. This process is governed by the interactions between the negatively charged electrons and the positively charged protons in the atomic nuclei.