What gives things their basic properties?

Answer 1

The basic properties of things, such as their physical characteristics and behaviors, arise from their atomic and molecular structures. The arrangement and type of atoms, as well as the interactions between them, determine properties like mass, density, and state of matter. Additionally, fundamental forces and energy levels influence how materials respond to external conditions, which further contributes to their overall properties. Thus, both the composition and the interactions at the atomic level are crucial in defining the characteristics of matter.