What determines the identity and chemical properties of an atom?
A)the number of protons in its nucleus
B)the number of neutrons in its nucleus
C)the number of electrons in its nucleus
D)the number of protons in the atom's electron shells
E)the number of neutrons in the atom's electron shells

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The number of protons in an atom's nucleus is known as its atomic number, which determines the element to which the atom belongs and its chemical properties. The number of neutrons and electrons in an atom can vary, but the number of protons remains constant, defining the element's identity.

What Determines the Identity and Chemical Properties of an Atom