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The smallest unit that retains the properties of an element is a(n) _____.

User Naeg
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The given blank can be filled with the atom.

An atom is the minutest component of a matter, which exhibits the characteristics of a chemical element. Every liquid, solid, plasma, and gas comprises ionized or neutral atoms.

The atoms are extremely small, the usual sizes are about 100 picometers. Each atom contains a nucleus and one or more electrons combined with the nucleus. The nucleus is formed of one or more protons and usually a same number of neutrons.


User Marcus Recck
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The smallest unit that retains the properties of an element is an atom. An atom is the smallest unit of matter that has the element's properties and every state of matter is composed of atoms.
User Jwok
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