What gives an element its special properties?

Question

amtran_bus · Answer

I know the number of electrons, protons, and neutrons.  But I want to go farther.  How does having a certain number of those particles give each element their special properties?  I understand reactivity and bonding.  But how does such small particles lead to special properties for each element (smell, color, uses, taste...etc)

amtran_bus · Answer

@chmvijay

amtran_bus · Answer

@modphysnoob

amtran_bus · Answer

@zpupster Can you look at this?

anonymous · Answer

Well I know electronegative is a significant property. look into London dispersion forces

chmvijay · Answer

But how does such small particles lead to special properties for each element (smell, color, uses, taste...etc) ? does any element smell? taste

aaronq · Answer

Colour is given by the transitions (relaxation) of electrons between orbitals, most transition metals have orbitals which transitions correspond the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum while transitions of e in organic molecules are not (they're probably in the IR, but i'm not sure). Look up crystal field theory.