How do protons and electrons determine the properties of an atom?

Question

anonymous · Answer

This is kinda broad question, but basically, the number of protons (also known as "Atomic Number") determins its basic atom's identity properties (whether it is water, aluminium, uranium etc.) this number is pretty much static, and changing it is effectively transforming it into another material (happens in nuclear fusion/fission).

The number of electrons will determine the elecric charge of an atom: neutral if electrons=protons, negative if electrons>protons, positive if electrons<protons.
Also it dictates whether the atom will conduct electriity: the number of electrons in so called outer electoron shell determines this property.