Question

Fill in the blank spaces by choosing the correct words from the list given below:

List: motion, space, mass, molecule, elements, atom, shape, changes, cohesion, rigid, hard, adhesion, intermolecular

(iii) ____________ is defined as the smallest unit of matter.

Answer 1

• An element is defined as a substance, which cannot be subdivided into two or more simpler substances by any chemical means.
• If the matter is made of only one kind of element, then the smallest unit of that element is called an atom.
• Atom is defined as the smallest unit of an element, which may or may not have an independent existence, but always takes part in a chemical reaction.

Therefore, Atom is defined as the smallest unit of matter.