What determines an element’s chemical properties?

1 answer

An element's chemical properties are determined by its atomic structure, including the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons it has, as well as the arrangement of these particles within the atom. The chemical properties of an element are primarily influenced by the number of valence electrons it possesses. Valence electrons are the electrons present in the outermost energy level of an atom and are involved in bonding with other atoms. The number of valence electrons determines how readily an element can form chemical bonds and participate in chemical reactions. Additionally, factors such as atomic size, electronegativity, ionization energy, and electron affinity also influence an element's chemical properties.