Multiple choice

The smallest particle of a substance capable of independent existence and retaining the properties of the original substance is called a/an

  1. atom

  2. molecule

  3. neutron

  4. isotope
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A molecule is the smallest particle of a substance that can exist independently while retaining all the chemical properties of the original substance. An atom is too small to retain the substance's properties - it only retains elemental properties. Neutrons are subatomic particles, and isotopes are variants of elements.

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