Which of the following is considered the smallest part of an element that retains its chemical properties?

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

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the question: It asks for the smallest part of an element that retains its chemical properties.
2. Recall the definitions: An electron is a subatomic particle with a negative charge, but it does not retain chemical properties by itself.
3. A proton is a positively charged subatomic particle found in the nucleus, but alone it does not represent the chemical identity of an element.
4. An atom is the smallest unit of an element that retains all the chemical properties of that element because it contains protons, neutrons, and electrons arranged in a specific way.
5. A molecule is a group of atoms bonded together and represents a compound or element in a combined form, but it is not the smallest part of an element.