Chemical reactions

Between atoms

All chemical reactions involve atoms separating and recombining to form new products. The forces at work bringing about chemical reactions are electrostatic in nature. They involve the attraction between positive and negative charges and the repulsion between like charges.

We sometimes have reactions between individual atoms. During such reactions atoms give, take or share electrons in order to achieve a more stable electronic arrangement.
Click for more information on stable electronic arrangements of atoms.

After exchanging electrons atoms come together and form strong bonds between them known as chemical bonds.
Click for more information on atoms exchanging electrons.

Oxygen reacts with berylium to form a new compound called beryllium oxide. Oxygen takes two electrons from beryllium to achieve a more stable electronic configuration. Notice how oxygen ends up having a 2,8 configuration and beryllium a 2 configuration. These type of configurations are very stable and you can see more detailed explanations by clicking on the links on the left.