Which particle determines the behavior of an atom?

well, that's interesting question has many answers;

significant change in atoms behavior due particle have proton. if change number of protons atom has, change atom entirely.

other proton, electron largely influences atoms behavior. neutral c in methane (ch4) stable , virtually non reactive; however, remove hydrogen , leave behind electrons (-ch3) , carbanion strong nucleophile , strong base. or taking electrons away (+ch3) , carbocation weakly basic , strong electrophile used in synthetic chemistry.

***** in short: *****

messing atoms octet produces vastly different behavior given atom whether break bonds, add electrons (e-) or take e- away

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