2007-08-30 16:40:58 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
All of the above answers are wrong. Proton neither neutron affects the chemical properties. If it's physical properties, yes it is. What really dictates the chemical properties of an atom is it's valence electron(outermost number of electrons). The reason is when 2 atom has the same valence electron, their chemical properties are the same. Such as potassium and sodium. The only difference is their physical properties(boiling point, melting point, electropositivity, etc)
2007-08-30 16:51:26 · answer #1 · answered by Neil 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Chemical properties of matter describes its "potential" to a chemical change or reaction of its "make up". What elements, electrons, and bonding are present to give the potential for chemical change.
It is quite difficult to define a chemical property without using the word "change". Eventually you should be able to look at the formula of a compound and state some chemical property. At this time this is very difficult to do and you are not expected to be able to do it.
For example hydrogen has the potential to ignite and explode in the right conditions. This is a chemical property.
Metals in general have a chemical property that reacts with an acid. Zinc reacts with hydrochloric acid to produce hydrogen gas. This is a chemical property.
if that doesnt work try howstuffworks.com
2007-08-30 16:57:27 · answer #2 · answered by momoftwo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its identity is controlled by the number of protons in the nucleus, but chemical properties are largely determined by the number of electrons in the outer or valence shell.
1 or two electrons in the outer shell are good electrical conductors 'cause the electrons are easily stripped off, 4-5 are semiconductors, 8 are noble gases, self satisfied without any desire to combine with others.
2007-08-30 16:51:05 · answer #3 · answered by Dave O 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Krissi had it closest: "the outermost electrons". That is, the electrons in the so called valence band. Many chemical reactions tend toward a configuration where atoms share electrons to end up with eight electrons in this valence band as that is a stable arrangement.
2007-08-30 16:57:09 · answer #4 · answered by jeffrcal 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Electrons.
2007-08-30 16:51:22 · answer #5 · answered by Jay Lew 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Protons
2007-08-30 16:43:20 · answer #6 · answered by SterlingThorne 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The electrons.
2007-09-02 13:32:40 · answer #7 · answered by johnandeileen2000 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
protons dictate what element it is, electrons dictate the charge and neutrons dictate if it's an isotope and if so, what kind
2007-08-30 16:49:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
the number of protons neutrons and electrons
2007-08-30 16:42:56 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
outermost electrons
2007-08-30 16:43:27 · answer #10 · answered by krissy l 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋