2007-02-06 14:51:22 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Its an atom. atoms CAN be divided into subatomic particles but it takes a whole atom to retain the chemical identity of an element.
2007-02-06 14:57:20 · answer #1 · answered by autumnleaves1990 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WOW great question!
Elements are made of protons, neutrons and electrons. The protons and neutrons are in the center (nucleus) of the atom and the electrons are flying in orbit around it. Kind of like the planets around the sun.
However what makes an element an element is the number of protons. So this means that you can strip away all the electrons and the element will be the same and even take the neutrons away and the element is still the same.
so i would say the answer is the smallest part of any element that retains the chemical identity is the nucleus. More specific the number of protons in the nucleus
hope this helps
2007-02-06 15:04:33 · answer #2 · answered by calpain20002000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Atom, by definition.
2007-02-06 14:53:56 · answer #3 · answered by Curt Monash 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This would be an atom.
2007-02-06 14:54:34 · answer #4 · answered by Christine C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋