Which of the following is considered the basic unit of chemistry?

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

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that chemistry is the study of matter and its interactions, and matter is composed of fundamental building blocks.
2. Recognize that electrons and protons are subatomic particles, which are components of atoms, but not units of matter by themselves in chemistry.
3. Know that a molecule is a group of two or more atoms bonded together, representing a larger structure than the basic unit.
4. Identify that the atom is the smallest unit of an element that retains the chemical properties of that element, making it the fundamental unit in chemistry.
5. Conclude that among the options given, the atom is considered the basic unit of chemistry because it is the smallest particle that defines an element's chemical identity.