Multiple Choice
Which option best describes the basic structure of an atom?
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4. Atoms and Elements
The Atom (Simplified)
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In the simplified model of the atom, what is the basic unit of a chemical element that retains the element’s identity?
A
Electron
B
Atom
C
Molecule
D
Proton
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the question is asking for the smallest unit of a chemical element that still retains the element's identity.
Recall that an electron is a subatomic particle with a negative charge, but it does not represent the whole element.
Recognize that a proton is a positively charged subatomic particle found in the nucleus, which helps define the element, but alone it is not the complete unit.
Know that a molecule is a group of atoms bonded together, representing compounds or elements in some cases, but it is not the basic unit of a single element.
Conclude that the atom is the basic unit of a chemical element that retains the element's identity, as it contains protons, neutrons, and electrons arranged to define the element.
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