Question

The smallest particle of an element is an _______and the smallest particle of a compound is a_____________.

• A. atom
• B. molecule

Answer 1

Atom:

• The basic building block unit of matter is an atom.
• 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

Molecule:

• A molecule is the smallest particle of an element or a compound that can exist by itself
• the molecule of an element contains one or more atoms of the same kind.
• The molecule of a compound contains two or more atoms of different kinds.

Concluding statement: The smallest particle of an element is an atom and the smallest particle of a compound is a molecule.