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reactively

reactively

5.9
In a way that changes quickly when mixed with other chemicals
  • adverb
  • /riˈæktɪvli/
  • Specialized
translation icon : reactivamente
  • The paint changes color reactively when exposed to sunlight, showing its sensitivity to environmental conditions.

Examples

  • A protective layer of hydrogenated carbon of 10-20 nm is reactively sputtered.

    Academic text (1996)
  • The chemical compound reacted reactively when exposed to heat, indicating a strong interaction.

  • Though his body distorts reactively, it does so as a demonstration of Darwin's hypothesis, articulated by the IG, that survival is contingent upon physical mutation, even commensurate to it.

    Academic text (2000)
  • He responded reactively to the sudden change in temperature by adjusting the experiment settings.

How Reactive

explosively
5 4.4
vigorously
76 3.4
reactively
  • Specialized
5.9
stably
1 4.3
inertly
1 6.7

Surface Forms

reactively positive

Morphology

reactively = reactive (transparent) = react + ive + ly

Formed from 'react' -> 'reactive' -> 'reactively' with a direct, predictable adjectival then adverbial derivation appropriate to the chemical sense.

Etymology

Reactively comes from the parts re- meaning 'again' and act meaning 'do', the same root you see in action and actor. So when a substance behaves reactively, it quickly does something when it meets another chemical, which is why it can change or give off heat.