2006-10-14 08:02:37 · 2 answers · asked by shop2liv1s 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
Virtually every atom on the Periodic Table is reactive but the Noble Gases. They are the only family that has a full (8 electrons) outer shell of valence electrons.
So if an atom has a full outer shell it is nonreactive. This is why they form compounds-they swap (give and take) electrons until they have 8, but then they are "hitched" so-again-the only atom (by itself) that is not reative is a member of the Noble Gases.
. . . and if you didn't know, now you do . . .
2006-10-14 10:03:05 · answer #1 · answered by teachr 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The number of electrons in the outer layer and how far away that number is to being full or empty. The last column is full so doesnt react. The first column has 1 and 7 respectively so it really wants to lose or gain that electron to make is full and so on.
2006-10-14 15:11:56 · answer #2 · answered by madmadritchie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋