what happens to atoms when placed with reactants and the mixture is heated?

When reactants are mixed together and heated, atoms undergo various types of reactions based on the nature of the reactants involved. The specific changes that occur depend on the type of reaction taking place.

To understand what happens to atoms during a reaction, it is important to have a basic understanding of chemical reactions and the concept of chemical bonding.

1. Bond Breaking: Many chemical reactions involve the breaking of chemical bonds between atoms in the reactants. This breaking of bonds requires energy, which is supplied in the form of heat. As the reactants are heated, the increased energy provides the necessary activation energy to break the existing bonds.

2. Formation of New Bonds: Once the existing bonds are broken, new bonds can be formed between atoms to create different compounds or molecules. The atoms from the reactants rearrange themselves to form new chemical compounds, which are the products of the reaction.

3. Energy Changes: The heating of reactants also affects the overall energy of the system. Some reactions are exothermic, meaning they release energy in the form of heat, while others are endothermic, meaning they absorb heat energy from the surroundings. The energy changes during a reaction can be a result of the breaking and formation of bonds.

It is important to note that during a chemical reaction, atoms themselves are not destroyed or created. Instead, they are rearranged into different combinations to form new compounds. This concept is known as the Law of Conservation of Mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction; it can only undergo a change in form.

Overall, when atoms are placed with reactants and the mixture is heated, the reaction causes the breaking and formation of bonds between atoms, resulting in the formation of new compounds and energy changes in the system.