The chemical behavior of an atom is determined by
A)the number of protons.
B)the number of neutrons.
C)the outermost electron shell.
D)the size of the atom.
E)the mass of the nucleus.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The outermost electron shell, or valence shell, determines the chemical behavior of an atom. This is because the electrons in the valence shell are involved in chemical reactions and determine the atom's reactivity and ability to bond with other atoms. The number of protons and neutrons determine the element and is related to the atom's size, but not its chemical behavior. The mass of the nucleus also does not determine chemical behavior.

The Chemical Behavior of an Atom Is Determined by