Which of the following is the smallest particle of an element that still retains the chemical properties of that element?

• A. Electron
• B. Molecule
• C. Atom
• D. Proton

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the question is asking for the smallest particle of an element that retains its chemical properties.
2. Recall that an electron is a subatomic particle with a negative charge but does not define the chemical properties of an element by itself.
3. Recognize that a proton is a positively charged subatomic particle found in the nucleus, which helps define the element but alone does not retain chemical properties.
4. Know that a molecule is a group of atoms bonded together and can be made of one or more elements, so it is not the smallest particle of a single element.
5. Identify that an atom is the smallest unit of an element that retains all the chemical properties of that element.