Chemical reactions occur when two or more substances, known as reactants, interact with one another and form one or more different substances, called products. The specific ways in which chemicals react with each other are determined by the nature of the atoms and molecules involved in the reaction, as well as the conditions under which the reaction takes place.
In order for a chemical reaction to occur, the reactant molecules must collide with one another with sufficient energy and in the correct orientation to overcome the energy barrier that separates the reactants from the products. This is known as the activation energy of the reaction.
The likelihood of a chemical reaction occurring is determined by a number of factors, including the concentration of the reactants, the temperature, the pressure, the presence of a catalyst, and the physical properties of the reactants and products. These factors can influence the rate of the reaction, the equilibrium point, and the overall direction of the reaction.
Chemical reactions also follow certain rules and principles, such as the law of conservation of mass and the principle of stoichiometry, which dictate the amounts of reactants and products involved in the reaction.
In summary, the specific ways in which chemicals react with each other are determined by a complex interplay of factors, including the nature of the atoms and molecules involved, the conditions under which the reaction takes place, and the rules and principles that govern chemical reactions.