Chapter 17, Problem 48A

To determine

To explain: The way for dictating the chemical properties of the element by the number of protons in an atomic nucleus.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

An atom consists of a nucleus and electrons (negatively charged)that revolve around the nucleus in a regular orbit. Protons (positively charged) and neutrons together forms the nucleus of an atom.

For a given atom, the number of electrons and the number of protons are equal. The chemical properties of atoms of an element is governed by the arrangement of electrons in its outer shells. Hence by knowing the proton number that is equal to number of electrons in that atoms, one can easily identify the arrangement of electrons in its shells. Thus, the chemical properties of an element can be easily identified.