Question

The valence electrons of an element are responsible for:
A. Physical properties of an element
B. Chemical properties of an element
C. Both A and B
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Here you have to ponder on what happens to the valence electrons when it reacts with other elements. And how will the elements react with different valence electrons. This will help to know whether they cause chemical or physical change.

Complete step by step answer:
Knowing about valence electrons is important for this question. Valence electron is an outer shell electron that is associated with an atom and can participate in the formation of a chemical bond if the outer shell is not closed. Two atoms form a covalent bond and contribute one valence electron each in order to form a shared pair.
Valence electrons determine whether it will readily bond with other elements or not. It also determines the number of bonds formed and also the atoms charge. And these are the chemical properties of an atom. Therefore valence electrons are responsible for chemical properties of an element.

So, the correct answer is option B.

Additional Information:
For example sodium, a group 1 element has one valence electron in the outer shell. It readily reacts as it is eager to give the electron and have full outer energy level.

Note:
Valence electrons for group one is -1, group two is -2 which increases up to group 4 and then starts decreasing from carbon and goes on as -3, -2 and -1 and in the last helium group the number is 0.