Which defines what element the atom is? a. protons b. neutrons or d. electrons. I think it might be neutrons, but can you verify this?
AND Would the property "reacts in water" be physical or chemical? Thanks.
To determine which subatomic particle defines what element an atom is, we need to review the basic structure of an atom. An atom consists of three main subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons.
Protons carry a positive charge and are found in the nucleus of an atom. Each element has a unique number of protons, known as the atomic number, which distinguishes it from other elements. Therefore, the number of protons in an atom determines the element it belongs to.
Neutrons, on the other hand, are electrically neutral and are also located in the nucleus. Similar to protons, each element can have different numbers of neutrons, resulting in different isotopes of the same element. However, while neutrons play a role in determining the atom's mass, they do not define the element itself.
Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit around the nucleus in specific energy levels or shells. The number of electrons is equal to the number of protons, ensuring overall electrical neutrality. However, unlike protons, electrons can be gained or lost, leading to the formation of ions.
Based on this information, the correct answer is option a: protons. The number of protons in an atom determines its element.
Regarding your second question, whether the property "reacts in water" is physical or chemical depends on the nature of the reaction.
If the reaction simply involves a change in physical state, such as dissolving, it can be classified as a physical property. In this case, adding water does not alter the fundamental nature of the substance.
However, if the reaction involves a chemical change in which the substance undergoes a transformation resulting in the formation of new substances, it would be considered a chemical property. This means that the substance reacts with water to produce different compounds or products.
Without more specific information about the nature of the reaction, it is challenging to determine definitively whether it is a physical or chemical property.