Question

Which statement is the BEST definition of an atom? A) Anything that has mass and occupies space. B) The smallest particle that has the properties of an element. C) A substance that cannot be broken down chemically into simpler substances. Eliminate D) The smallest unit of a substance that exhibits all of the properties characteristic of that substance.

Answer 1

An atom is defined as the smallest particle that retains the chemical properties of an element; for example, a gold atom has all the characteristics of gold. Atoms are composed of a nucleus and electrons, and when divided, they no longer retain the element's properties.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best definition of an atom corresponds to option B) The smallest particle that has the properties of an element. This explanation aligns accurately with our understanding of chemical principles. An atom is a fundamental unit of matter that retains the chemical properties of an element. For instance, a single gold atom possesses all the characteristics of gold, including its status as a solid metal at room temperature. Atoms are made up of a nucleus, which contains protons and neutrons, and is surrounded by a cloud of electrons. Despite their minuscule size, typically about 100 picometers, if an atom were to be divided, it would no longer exhibit the properties of the element it represents.