Question

The tendency of an element to react is closely related to

a. its atomic mass.
b. attractions between its atoms.
c. the number of valence electrons in atoms of the element.
d. the ratio of protons to neutrons in atoms of the element

Answer 1

Answer: c. the number of valence electrons in atoms of the element

The valence electrons determine how it would bond and if it would react.

Answer 2

The tendency of an element to react is closely related to the number of valence electrons in atoms of the element (answer C).

Step-by-step explanation

Valence electrons are outer shell electrons of an atom.They govern the bonding behavior of an element.

when element react to form compound, valence electron are involved.

Valence electrons are involved in a reaction either by sharing among atoms or may be transferred from one atom to another.

For example in formation of NaCl bond there is transfer of valence electron between Na and Cl. Na donate 1 valence electron while Cl accept 1 electron to form NaCl