Which one among the following is responsible for determining the chemi

Which one among the following is responsible for determining the chemical properties of an element ?

Protons
Electrons
Neutrons
Nucleus
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2024
Electrons are responsible for determining the chemical properties of an element.
An element’s chemical properties dictate how it reacts and forms bonds with other elements. This behavior is governed by the configuration of its electrons, particularly the valence electrons in the outermost shell, which are involved in chemical interactions.
Protons, located in the nucleus, determine the atomic number and thus the identity of the element. Neutrons, also in the nucleus, affect the atomic mass and form isotopes but have little direct impact on chemical reactivity. The nucleus (containing protons and neutrons) determines the atom’s mass and stability, but the electron cloud outside the nucleus dictates its chemical behavior.