charges attract each other; similar electrical charges repel each other In each atom, protons in the central nucleus attract a cloud of electrons that orbit constantly at various distances from the nucleus Stable forms of the elements are electrically neutral, which means that their atoms contain equal numbers of protons and electrons (If like charges repel each other and opposite charges attract, then why is it that the protons in the nucleus don’t push each other away and the orbiting electrons fall straight into the nucleus? It turns out that there are forces besides electricity at work in the atom The protons and neutrons are bound together by very strong nuclear forces, while it’s the nature of electrons to be in continual motion So protons and electrons are always attracted to each other and move in response to the other’s presence, but they never consummate their attraction.) Electrical Imbalance, Reactions, and Oxidation Electrical Imbalance, Reactions, and Oxidation The electrons in atoms are arranged around the nucleus in orbits that determine how strongly any particular electron is held there Some electrons are held close and tightly to the nucleus, while others range far away and are held more weakly The behavior of the outermost electrons largely determines the chemical behavior of the elements For example, the elements classi-fied as metals — copper, aluminum, iron — hold their outermost electrons very weakly, and easily give them away to the atoms of other elements — oxygen, chlorine — that are hungrier for electrons, and that tend to grab up any that are loosely held This imbalance in electrical pulls among different elements is the basis of most chemical reactions Reactions are encounters among atoms and molecules that result in the loss, gain, or sharing of electrons, and thus changes in the properties of the atoms and molecules ... electrical pulls among different elements is the basis of most chemical reactions Reactions are encounters among atoms and molecules that result in the loss, gain, or sharing of electrons, and thus changes in the. .. Some electrons are held close and tightly to the nucleus, while others range far away and are held more weakly The behavior of the outermost electrons largely determines the chemical behavior of the elements For example, the elements classi-fied as metals —...Electrical Imbalance, Reactions, and Oxidation The electrons in atoms are arranged around the nucleus in orbits that determine how strongly any particular electron is held there Some electrons are held close and tightly to