Mercury’s physical characteristics. Because the planet is so close to the sun, Mercury’s surface temperature can reach a scorching 840 degrees Fahrenheit (450 degrees Celsius).
What determines the physical and chemical properties of an atom?
An element and its place within the periodic table are derived from this concept. When an atom is generally electrically neutral, the atomic number will equal the number of electrons in the atom, which can be found around the core. These electrons mainly determine the chemical behaviour of an atom.