Question

electron shells
valence electrons
electrons
atoms
molecules
electron distribution
charge distribution
interact with other molecules
basic atoms
harm living organisms
the of each element have a characteristic
number of arranged in
. the number of
determines what types of bonds or ions the atoms may form, so the
chemical reactivity of an atom arises from its
the properties of compounds emerge from the arrangement of their
constituent atoms and of the bonds between them.

thus, a wide variety of with very different
chemical properties can be made from the same
. each molecule has a distinctive size, shape,
and , which determine its highly specific ability
to

Explanation:

1. Atoms of elements have a set number of electrons organized in electron shells.
2. Valence electrons dictate bonding/ion formation, so reactivity comes from valence electrons.
3. Different molecules can form from the same basic atoms.
4. A molecule's charge distribution defines its ability to interact with other molecules.

Answer:

1. The atoms of each element have a characteristic number of electrons arranged in electron shells. The number of valence electrons determines what types of bonds or ions the atoms may form, so the chemical reactivity of an atom arises from its valence electrons.
2. Thus, a wide variety of molecules with very different chemical properties can be made from the same basic atoms. Each molecule has a distinctive size, shape, and charge distribution, which determine its highly specific ability to interact with other molecules.