Survey in chem?

Question

do you still consider atom the smallest particle?

Pls! help i'm confused

Answer 1

Atoms are extremely small, but they are in fact made of even smaller particles: protons neutrons and electrons. Protons and neutrons being in the nucleus, and electrons being around that. Protons have a positive charge, electrons have a negative charge, and neutrons have a neutral charge. Democritus was the first to suggest there were small particles that were the foundation of everything, but those were ancient times and we've come a long way since then.

You must have just learned about subatomic particles in class... atoms are not the smallest particle,  protons neutrons and electrons are smaller, electrons being the very smallest.

Answer 2

It's true that atoms are not the smallest particle.  They are made of protons, neutrons, and electrons.  The protons, electrons, and neutrons are made of even smaller particles such as quarks.

However, an atom is still considered the smallest particle which makes up an element.  Once you divide that atom no longer have the element.  (hydrogen, helium, oxygen, carbon, etc.)