The smallest particle of an element that retains the chemical identity of that element is?

Question

The smallest particle of an element that retains the chemical identity of that element is?

Answer 1

An atom, the number of protons/electron give the identity of the compound and don't change unless it is in a nuclear reaction.

Answer 2

IF YOURE TALKING CHEMICALS the answer would be a MOLECULE (atoms are elements) these are the building blocks of chemicals such as H2O water =a chemical consisting of hydrogen atoms and an oxygen atom thus the smallest particle of water  is one water molecule consisting of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom----H2O--- theres your answer!(unless you mean"chemical elements" in which case THE ANSWER IS OF COURSE AN ATOM

Answer 3

The atom is the smallest particle that retains the complete chemical identity of an element.

Answer 4

Atom is the smallest particle of an element that retains the chemical identity of that element.

Answer 5

an atom