Chemical reaction

In nature, all processes prefer to find the status of the lowest energy level. In respect of atoms, this means: Valence electrons at an only partially occupied energy level of the atomic shell will, if the possibility exists, search for a free space at a lower energy level of another atom. Together, the two atoms form a molecule and in total assume a lower energy level than the individual atoms did before. This bond of two atoms is a chemical reaction. The molecule’s energy level is described as overall saturated, i.e. the molecule’s highest energy level is fully occupied with electrons .

If nature takes its course, there are only molecules with saturated energy levels. However, molecules of different structure can also meet, which in a different distribution of atoms would form molecules that occupy an overall lower energy level. These two types of molecules can then react in a chemical reaction to form new molecules. But this is not necessarily the case: Some molecules spontaneously react to form new molecules, others require kick-off by energy supply and/or a catalyst. The chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygenthe substrates to remove contaminations. In nature, both form diatomic molecules O₂ and H₂. The bond H₂O (water), however, is much lower in energy. Therefore, whenever an oxygen molecule finds two hydrogen molecules, the following reaction will occur: 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O Another reaction to form a lower-energy state is the polymer reaction in which polymers are generated from hydrocarbon monomers: