Multiple Choice
Which planet in our solar system is believed to have helium rain in its interior?
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2. Atoms & Elements
The Atom
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Which phrase best describes an atom?
A
The smallest unit of an element that retains the properties of that element
B
A positively charged particle found in the nucleus
C
A substance that cannot be broken down by chemical means
D
A molecule composed of two or more different elements
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the definition of an atom: It is the fundamental unit of an element that retains all the chemical properties of that element.
Recognize that an atom consists of subatomic particles such as protons, neutrons, and electrons, but the atom itself is not just a single particle like a proton.
Distinguish between an atom and a molecule: a molecule is made up of two or more atoms bonded together, which can be of the same or different elements.
Differentiate an atom from a substance that cannot be broken down by chemical means; that description fits an element, not an atom specifically.
Conclude that the phrase 'The smallest unit of an element that retains the properties of that element' best describes an atom.
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