The characteristic way in which atoms of an element react is most related to the

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The number of electrons in the outermost shell, also known as the valence electrons, determines the chemical behavior of an atom. These electrons are involved in chemical bonds and reactions. The number of electrons in the innermost shell (A choice) has little to no effect on chemical behavior, while the number of neutrons in the nucleus (C choice) can affect the stability of the nucleus but not necessarily the chemical behavior. The size of the nucleus (D choice) also has no direct effect on chemical behavior.

The Characteristic Way in Which Atoms of an Element React