Which Parts of the Atoms Interact in a Chemical Reaction

Question

Which parts of the atoms interact in a chemical reaction?
A) protons
B) neutrons
C) ions
D) electrons
E) isotopes

Accepted Answer

Electrons are the particles that interact in chemical reactions, as they are the parts of the atom involved in forming chemical bonds. Protons and neutrons are found in the nucleus and do not typically participate in chemical reactions. Ions are formed when atoms gain or lose electrons, so while they may be involved in a chemical reaction, it is ultimately the electrons that are interacting. Isotopes are simply different variations of an element that have varying numbers of neutrons, which do not play a direct role in chemical reactions.