Final answer:
The smallest particle that can be considered gold is a gold atom, which is the smallest unit of matter that retains the chemical properties of gold.
Step-by-step explanation:
The smallest particle that is still gold is a gold atom. This is because an atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains all of the chemical properties of an element. By cutting a piece of gold repeatedly, you'll eventually reach the scale where you cannot cut it anymore without losing the essential properties that make gold the element it is. The gold atom is a solid metal at room temperature and possesses all characteristics we associate with the element gold. Any attempt to divide a gold atom into smaller parts, such as protons or electrons, results in a loss of the distinctive properties of gold as it ceases to be a gold atom.An atom is the smallest particle of an element that has the properties of that element and can enter into a chemical combination. When it comes to gold, cutting a gold nugget in half repeatedly will eventually result in a piece of gold that is so small it cannot be further divided. This smallest possible piece of gold is an atom. Therefore, the smallest particle that is still gold is a gold atom.