An element's symbol, # of protons, electrons, neutrons, atomic #, oxidation state, atomic mass, period #, and group #:
Which are considered physical properties and which are considered chemical properties?
http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/104Aphysprop.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_property
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?
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.
Ok, I understand. Thanks
To determine which properties are considered physical and which are considered chemical, let's analyze each characteristic:
1. Symbol: The symbol represents the element and is a unique shorthand notation. It is neither a physical nor a chemical property but primarily used for convenience.
2. Number of protons, electrons, and neutrons: These are intrinsic properties of an element and are constant for a given element. They are physical properties as they describe the fundamental composition of an atom.
3. Atomic number: The atomic number refers to the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. It is a physical property, as it is an inherent characteristic of an element.
4. Oxidation state: The oxidation state indicates the number of electrons gained or lost by an atom when it forms a compound or ion. It is a chemical property as it describes the element's ability to undergo chemical reactions.
5. Atomic mass: Atomic mass represents the average mass of atoms in a naturally occurring sample of an element. It is a physical property, as it can be measured experimentally.
6. Period number: The period number refers to the horizontal row in the periodic table. It is a physical property, as it indicates the energy level or electron shell in which the element's valence electrons are located.
7. Group number: The group number describes the vertical column in the periodic table. It is a chemical property, as elements in the same group exhibit similar chemical behavior due to their shared valence electron configuration.
In summary:
- Physical properties: Number of protons, electrons, and neutrons, atomic number, atomic mass, and period number.
- Chemical properties: Oxidation state and group number.