Which of the following primarily determines whether an atom will form a chemical bond with another atom?

• A. The atomic mass of the atom
• B. The physical state of the atom at room temperature
• C. The number of valence electrons in the atom
• D. The total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that chemical bonding involves the interaction between atoms to achieve a more stable electron configuration.
2. Recall that the atomic mass (sum of protons and neutrons) does not directly influence bonding behavior because bonding depends on electron interactions, not nuclear mass.
3. Recognize that the physical state of an element at room temperature (solid, liquid, gas) is a macroscopic property and does not determine how atoms bond at the microscopic level.
4. Focus on the number of valence electrons, which are the electrons in the outermost shell of an atom; these electrons are responsible for forming chemical bonds by being shared, gained, or lost.
5. Conclude that the primary factor determining whether an atom will form a chemical bond is the number of valence electrons, as this dictates the atom's tendency to achieve a full outer shell through bonding.