Atomic Properties
Atomic properties refer to the characteristics of atoms that influence their behavior and interactions. Key atomic properties include atomic number, which indicates the number of protons in an atom's nucleus, and atomic mass, which is the total number of protons and neutrons. These properties help define the identity of an element and its position in the periodic table, such as hydrogen having an atomic number of 1.
Another important atomic property is electronegativity, which measures an atom's ability to attract electrons in a chemical bond. This property affects how atoms interact with each other, influencing the formation of compounds. For example, oxygen has a high electronegativity, making it a strong attractor of electrons in molecules like water.