The types of chemical reactions that an atom participates in are primarily determined by the number of electrons in the outermost electron shell, also known as the valence electrons. The outermost shell is crucial because it dictates how an atom interacts with other atoms to form bonds—whether it will gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve a more stable electronic configuration, typically a full outer shell.
While other factors such as the atomic number and the number of protons indirectly influence these reactions (since they determine the number of electrons in a neutral atom), it is specifically the outermost electrons that directly determine the atom's reactivity and the types of chemical reactions it can partake in.
The other options listed (innermost electron shell, atomic mass, and number of protons) are less directly related to the atom's reactivity in chemical reactions.
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