Final answer:
Atoms are the smallest unit of matter, followed by molecules or compounds when atoms bond together. Elements consist of a single type of atom, and compounds are made of two or more different atoms bonded together. The correct order from smallest to largest is Atom → Molecule or compound → Element → Compound.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the organization of matter involves starting with the most fundamental units and building up to more complex structures. The smallest unit of matter is the atom, such as hydrogen or oxygen atoms, which retains all of the properties of an element. Atoms are made of even smaller subatomic particles - protons, neutrons, and electrons. When two or more atoms join together, they create a molecule or a compound; for instance, water (H2O) is a molecule composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. A compound is a substance made of atoms of different elements bonded together, like sodium chloride (table salt), which is made up of sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) atoms.
The correct order from the smallest to the largest is as follows: Atom → Molecule or compound → Element → Compound. An element is a type of pure substance made entirely of one kind of atom, while a compound is a substance composed of two or more different kinds of atoms bonded together.
Therefore, the accurate representation of these building blocks of matter from the smallest to the largest for the options provided is Atom → Molecule or compound → Element → Compound.