What Is the Difference Between Reactive & Stable Atoms?

Electrons as a Shell

• Electrons, the negatively charged particles of an atom, act as a shell around the nucleus of the atom. The nucleus of the atom is composed of protons, which are positively charged, and neutrons, which have no electric charge. Electrons do not always equal the same number of protons in an atom. Hence, an atom of copper, which has 29 protons, might have less than 29 electrons. Having one less electron influences the valence shell.

Valence Shell

• The valence shell is the longest circumference an electron will orbit an atomic nucleus. Thus, it is the border between the atom and either space or other atoms. These electrons are the most likely electrons to move away or disconnect from the atom since they are so far away from the nucleus. The result of this atomic process is the creation of free electrons, which are electrons that touch and interact with other free electrons. Copper, for example, has a high chance of having many free electrons near its valence shell, allowing copper to be a good conductor electrical conductor.

Reactivity as Electrical Energy

• The increased flow of free electrons allows an atom to become a conductor of electricity. Copper can not only allow for the emission of electricity, but with controls such as an electrical current flow, material made of copper can conduct electricity. Hence, the more free electrons and the weaker the valence shell, the higher likelihood the atom is a reactive atom.

Nucleus Containment

• Stability describes how the protons are able to compose the atom without floating from the atom. Within the laws of physics, negative charged particles (electrons) are attracted to positive charge particles (protons). However, physically speaking, protons are combined together in the nucleus of an atom. By the laws of physics, protons should repel from each other.

Binding Force

• The concept known as a binding force usurps the concept of like particles, like two protons, repelling each other. Binding force allows for protons to be contained within the nucleus through a strong electromagnetic field. This electromagnetic field is what keeps the nucleus, and thus the atom itself, stabilized. A weakened electromagnetic field will cause the atom to break apart, leading to an unstable atom.