Question

Fill in the blanks

A________________is the smallest particle of matter (an element or a compound) that can exist by itself.

Answer 1

Atom:

• Atom is the smallest particle of matter that can exist by itself.
• Actually atom is the basic building block unit of matter.
• Atom is the smallest particle of an element that retains the properties of the element.
• It is the smallest particle that takes part in the chemical reaction.

Concluding statement: An atom is the smallest particle of matter (an element or a compound) that can exist by itself.