An element's symbol, # of protons, electrons, neutrons, atomic #, oxidation state, atomic mass, period #, and group #:

Question

Which are considered physical properties and which are considered chemical properties?

Answer 1

http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/104Aphysprop.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_property

Answer 2

Based on the information I gathered from those sites, I think that oxidation states are chemical properties. So would all the others be physical properties?

Answer 3

Frankly, these are difficult. IF we just look at the number of protons, number of neutrons, number of electrons as just numbers and not what they might or might not do in a reaction, then I would go with physical properties for them. Of course atomic number is a physical property. Which group they are in and which period they are in determines many of the chemical properties they will have; however, just the physical presence in a period or a group I think is a physical property. Oxidation state determines the chemical reactions an element will undergo but I think just the number by itself is a physical property. Some define a chemical property as one in which the "potential" exists for a chemical change, In that respect, one must make an element undergo a chemical reaction in order to determine its oxidation number so it would be defined as a chemical property. You have classified them as I would have. Has your instructor given you a definition and examples? If so, compare those properties listed in your question with his/her definitions/examples.

Answer 4

Ok, I understand. Thanks