What is the driving force behind chemical interactions between elements?
The interaction of the electric fields of protons and electrons.
The attraction of protons of different atoms.
The interaction of the electric fields of neutrons and electrons.
The attraction of electrons of different atoms.
The driving force behind chemical interactions between elements is primarily the attraction of electrons of different atoms. Chemical interactions occur as atoms seek to achieve a more stable electron configuration by either sharing, gaining, or losing electrons in order to achieve a full outer electron shell. This is known as the octet rule, which states that atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons in order to have a full outermost energy level of electrons. This attraction of electrons between atoms is responsible for the formation of chemical bonds, which determine the properties and behavior of substances in chemical reactions.
