What term is defined as the smallest particle of an element that retains all properties of the element?

What term is defined as the smallest particle of an element that retains all properties of the element?

• A. Proton
• B. Atom
• C. Neutron
• D. Electron

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is identifying the fundamental unit that still shows an element’s chemistry. That unit is the atom—the basic building block that preserves the element’s chemical properties. An atom contains a nucleus of protons and neutrons with electrons orbiting around it, and the element’s identity is determined by the number of protons (the atomic number). If you break the atom into smaller pieces, you lose the full set of properties that define the element. Subatomic particles by themselves—protons, neutrons, or electrons—don’t exhibit the element’s complete chemical behavior. Even though different isotopes alter neutron number, they’re still the same element and share its chemical nature. So the term defined is the atom.

The main idea here is identifying the fundamental unit that still shows an element’s chemistry. That unit is the atom—the basic building block that preserves the element’s chemical properties. An atom contains a nucleus of protons and neutrons with electrons orbiting around it, and the element’s identity is determined by the number of protons (the atomic number). If you break the atom into smaller pieces, you lose the full set of properties that define the element. Subatomic particles by themselves—protons, neutrons, or electrons—don’t exhibit the element’s complete chemical behavior. Even though different isotopes alter neutron number, they’re still the same element and share its chemical nature. So the term defined is the atom.