Final answer:
Electrons and ions are the parts of atoms that interact in a chemical reaction. Electrons are responsible for bonding between atoms, while ions are formed through the gain or loss of electrons and interact to form compounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a chemical reaction, the parts of the atoms that interact are electrons and ions. Electrons play a key role in chemical reactions because they are responsible for the bonding between atoms. During a chemical reaction, electrons are either shared or transferred between atoms, resulting in the formation of new compounds.
Ions, on the other hand, are charged particles that are formed when atoms gain or lose electrons. It is through the interaction of these ions that chemical reactions occur. For example, in an ionic bond, a metal atom loses electrons to become a positively charged ion, while a non-metal atom gains electrons to become a negatively charged ion. The attraction between these oppositely charged ions leads to the formation of an ionic compound.