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ASVAB · Chemistry

What is the smallest unit of an element that retains the properties of that element?

Correct answer

An atom

  1. A A molecule
  2. B An atom
  3. C A compound
  4. D A cell

Why this is the answer

An atom is the smallest unit of an element that still has the properties of that element. Atoms consist of protons and neutrons in a central nucleus, with electrons surrounding it. A molecule is two or more atoms bonded together (which may be the same element or a compound). A compound is a substance made of two or more different elements chemically combined. A cell is a biological unit, not a chemical one. The atom is the basic building block of matter for a given element.
Source: ASVAB GS, Atomic Structure

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