2006-11-17 10:13:40 · 8 answers · asked by garou_yasha 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
It depends on what you mean by "properties." Mass is determined by the number of protons & neutrons in the nucleus. That also relates to melting point and boiling point, though other factors affect those, too. But the CHEMICAL properties are determined by the electrons, and specifically, the electrons in the outer shell (and next to outer shell, for the transition elements). It's those electrons that determine if an element is a metal or nonmetal, what elements it will form bonds with, how reactive it is, etc.
2006-11-17 11:39:10 · answer #1 · answered by pack_rat2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Electrons play the most important role in determining an elements chemical behavior.
Neutrons determine the only part in which isotopes it may be.
However, if it is just the element, protons win hands down. Looking at the Periodic Table you can see the elements are arranged by Atomic Number (number of protons). Protons determine what the element is. You can vary the electrons but you will have the same element (just with a different charge), and you can vary the neutrons but you will still have the same element (just a different mass).
Protons!
Get an "A".
2006-11-17 10:37:40 · answer #2 · answered by teachr 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say the neutron because the different isotopes of each individual element has a different number of neutrons. I guess it could be electrons instead, because the number of electrons in an elements outer shell determine its number of valence electrons. And if an atom doesn't have a full outer shell it will try to bond with other elements as an ionic or covalent bond. I'd say without any one subatomic particle, and atom would be unstable. And all matter wouldn't exist.
2006-11-17 10:28:19 · answer #3 · answered by Donovan G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The question is vague. The chemical properties are generally done by the electrons. But the protons control how many electrons there should be. Neon with ten electrons is completely inert. Sodium with eleven electrons will drop one to reach ten. It isn't inert with either eleven or ten. So the number of protons controls the properties. But it does that controlling via the electrons.
2016-05-21 23:39:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chemistry is all about electrons, particularly the number in the outer level - so they are the most important.
2006-11-17 10:17:30 · answer #5 · answered by Gervald F 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
its electron i just took the test
B
2014-10-21 05:20:50 · answer #6 · answered by Ur Mum 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
protons
2006-11-17 10:16:32 · answer #7 · answered by ml12821 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
carbon..............
2006-11-17 10:15:18 · answer #8 · answered by LaMathrick B 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋