Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
How does the number of valence electrons in an element influence its chemical properties?
A
It only affects the element's physical state at room temperature.
B
It has no impact on the element's chemical properties.
C
It determines the element's reactivity and the types of bonds it can form.
D
It determines the element's atomic mass.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell of an atom and are primarily responsible for chemical behavior.
Recognize that the number of valence electrons influences how an element interacts with other atoms, including its ability to gain, lose, or share electrons.
Know that elements with similar numbers of valence electrons tend to exhibit similar chemical properties and reactivity patterns.
Realize that the number of valence electrons determines the types of chemical bonds an element can form, such as ionic, covalent, or metallic bonds.
Conclude that the chemical properties of an element, including its reactivity and bonding behavior, are directly related to its number of valence electrons, rather than physical state or atomic mass.