The Smallest Particle of an Element That Has the Chemical

Question

The smallest particle of an element that has the chemical characteristics of that element is a(n)
A) neutron.
B) proton.
C) electron.
D) atom.
E) electron cloud.

Accepted Answer

The smallest particle of an element that has the chemical characteristics of that element is an atom. While protons, neutrons, and electrons are all parts of an atom, they do not have the same chemical characteristics as an element on their own. The electron cloud is a general term for the area around an atom where electrons are likely to be found, but it is not a particle in and of itself.