ANSWERS: 5
  • I think it's an atom. Anything smaller and all you'll have is protons and electrons and whatnot.
  • smallest particle of a single element is an atom ----- smallest particle of a compound or a mixture is a molecule (english and science nerd talking)
  • The smallest part of an element that can be identified as an element is the element. Anything below that your are breaking down the element, and it can no longer be identified as the element. An element is identified by it's atomic structure, so you are now looking at neutrons, protons, etc. that can be further broken down. But it is the sub elements combined in a certain way that makes and element an element.
  • The nucleus of an atom, without the electrons, can be unambiguously identified as a postive ion of a particular element. You might even be able to remove quite a few neutrons too : this doesn't change the element, just the isotope. All you're left with is a nucleus with the correct number of protons plus (possibly) a few neutrons to hold them together.
  • popular belief was that it was the atom, but they discovered that it could be halved again creating the sub-atom. i can't believe i still know that.

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