Submit a question to our community and get an answer from real people.
Submit
All  >  Science

In chemical reactions, when the bonds of the reactants are broken, why do the atoms not bond back to make the original reactant molecules?

Why do the atoms bond with the other atoms from the other reactant molecule? Why don't they bond back?

Report as

The reason why atoms would not bond with the reactant is because atoms would generally prefer to be full. For this reason, they would normally bond back to the original atom rather than the original reactant. The term used to describe this is "Happy Atoms". Visit http://www.chem4kids.com/files/atom_bonds.html for more information.

Helpful Fun Thanks for voting Comments (0)
Report as
Add a comment...
Do you have an answer?
Answer this question...
Did you mean?
Login or Join the Community to answer

About - Privacy - AskEraser - Careers - Ask Blog - Q&A - Mobile - Help - Feedback ©2013 Ask.com