Reactivity (chemistry)

In chemistry, reactivity is the impulse for which a chemical substance undergoes a chemical reaction, either by itself or with other materials, with an overall release of energy. Reactivity refers to: the chemical reactions of a single substance, the chemical reactions of two or more substances that interact with each other, the systematic study of sets of reactions of these two kinds, methodology that applies to the study of reactivity of chemicals of all kinds, experimental methods that are used to observe these processes theories to predict and to account for these processes. The chemical reactivity of a single substance (reactant) covers its behavior in which it: Decomposes Forms new substances by addition of atoms from another reactant or reactants Interacts with two or more other reactants to form two or more products The chemical reactivity of a substance can refer to the variety of circumstances (conditions that include temperature, pressure, presence of catalysts) in which it reacts, in combination with the: Variety of substances with which it reacts Equilibrium point of the reaction (i.e., the extent to which all of it reacts) Rate of the reaction The term reactivity is related to the concepts of chemical stability and chemical compatibility. Reactivity is a somewhat vague concept in chemistry. It appears to embody both thermodynamic factors and kinetic factors—i.e., whether or not a substance reacts, and how fast it reacts. Both factors are actually distinct, and both commonly depend on temperature. For example, it is commonly asserted that the reactivity of group one metals (Na, K, etc.) increases down the group in the periodic table, or that hydrogen's reactivity is evidenced by its reaction with oxygen. In fact, the rate of reaction of alkali metals (as evidenced by their reaction with water for example) is a function not only of position within the group but particle size. Hydrogen does not react with oxygen—even though the equilibrium constant is very large—unless a flame initiates the radical reaction, which leads to an explosion.