How does the structure of the atom relate to its properties?
Chemical reactions involve either the transfer or the sharing of electrons between atoms. Therefore, the chemical reactivity/ properties of an element is primarily dependent upon the number of electrons in an atom of that element. Protons also play a significant role because the tendency for an atom to either lose, gain or share electrons is dependent upon the charge of the nucleus. Therefore, we can say that the chemical reactivity of an atom is dependent upon the number of electrons and protons, and independent of the number of neutrons. The mass and radioactive properties of an atom are dependent upon the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. Note: The number of protons, neutrons and electrons in an atom completely determine its properties and identity, regardless of how and where the atom was made. So it is inaccurate to speak of synthetic atoms and natural atoms. In other words a lead atom is a lead atom, end of story. It doesn t matter if was mined from the earth, produc
