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I know it has something to do with electrons, but could the number of protons or neutrons have anything to do with how two elements would react? For example, sodium and water explode on contact, as do lithium and O2. Why is this?

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Depending on your knowledge of chemistry, this seems to be rather broad. Could you elaborate on both your question and what you know? – ManishEarth♦ Aug 3 '12 at 6:21
I'm just wondering why certain elements and compounds act the certain way they do in certain conditions while others don't, and if there is any way to accurately predict what would happen with any two elements or compounds based on how many protons/neutrons/electrons they have. – Waffle Aug 3 '12 at 7:32
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@Waffle What you've described there is basically the entire science of chemistry, though. :) I would choose one reaction or family of reactions, do a little background reading on it, and edit this into a more specific question. I'm going to close this for the time being, but after you've edited it, use the flag button to indicate that and we'll reopen it. – jonsca♦ Aug 3 '12 at 8:54
Chemical reactions occur because the electrons move from a higher energy state to a lower energy state. – UnkleRhaukus Jan 17 at 7:08

closed as not a real question by jonsca♦ Aug 3 '12 at 8:55

It's difficult to tell what is being asked here. This question is ambiguous, vague, incomplete, overly broad, or rhetorical and cannot be reasonably answered in its current form. For help clarifying this question so that it can be reopened, see the FAQ.

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