Chemical Reactivity

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The Range of Chemical Reactivity

The rate that a chemical substance undergoes a reaction is known as chemical reactivity. This reaction could take the form of one of several types. The reactant elements or compounds in each case would affect the chemical reactivity. While pure compounds are only affected by the physical properties of the substance in question, a crystalline compound may be affected by its structure.

A chemical substance will generally attempt to enter a more stable state. The less stable a substance is, the greater its rate of chemical reactivity will be. Therefore, some extremely reactive substances are so unstable that they only exist for infinitesimally short periods of time before they join with another substance.

On the other hand, some substances are extremely stable and almost never react. For instance, noble gases like Xenon are seldom reactants in any equation. However, several experiments have proved that noble gas compounds are possible. Using the earlier example of Xenon, one could prepare a compound with platinum hexafluoride. The resulting Xenon hexafluoroplatinate has only been produced in laboratories, thus serving as a testament to the low chemical reactivity of these gases.

These are outlying examples, however. Most common substances have at least some level of chemical reactivity, and these chemical reactions make up the myriad substances found in every facet of life.