Which part of the atom is primarily responsible for chemical bonding?

• A. Core electrons
• B. Neutrons in the nucleus
• C. Protons in the nucleus
• D. Valence electrons

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that chemical bonding involves the interaction between atoms to form molecules or compounds.
2. Recall that atoms consist of a nucleus (containing protons and neutrons) and electrons arranged in shells around the nucleus.
3. Recognize that core electrons are those in the inner shells and are generally not involved in bonding because they are held tightly by the nucleus.
4. Identify valence electrons as the electrons in the outermost shell of an atom, which are the ones that participate in forming chemical bonds.
5. Conclude that valence electrons are primarily responsible for chemical bonding because they can be shared, gained, or lost to achieve stable electron configurations.