Multiple Choice
What does the atomic number of an element indicate?
2. Atoms & Elements
The Atom
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What is the smallest unit of matter that still retains the properties of an element?
A
Atom
B
Molecule
C
Proton
D
Electron
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that elements are pure substances that consist of only one type of atom. Each element is defined by the number of protons in its atoms, known as the atomic number.
Recognize that an atom is the smallest unit of an element that retains the chemical properties of that element. It consists of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons.
Differentiate between atoms and molecules. A molecule is a group of two or more atoms bonded together, which can be of the same or different elements. Molecules retain the properties of the compound they form, not the individual elements.
Consider subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons and neutrons are found in the nucleus of an atom, while electrons orbit the nucleus. These particles do not retain the properties of the element on their own.
Conclude that the atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element, as it is the basic building block of matter and defines the element's identity.
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