The smallest unit of a chemical compound is a(n) _____.
A) atom
B) molecule
C) beta particle
D) alpha particle
E) ion

Question

The smallest unit of a chemical compound is  a(n) _____.
A) atom
B) molecule
C) beta particle
D) alpha particle
E) ion

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A molecule is the smallest unit of a chemical compound that retains the chemical properties of that compound. Atoms can combine to form molecules, but atoms themselves are not compounds. Beta and alpha particles are types of radiation, and ions are atoms or molecules that have gained or lost electrons to become either positively or negatively charged.

The Smallest Unit of a Chemical Compound Is A(n) _____