The smallest particle of matter that represents all the properties of the substance is:

Correct option is D

The correct answer is option (d) Molecule

Explanation

A molecule is the smallest particle of a substance that retains all the chemical properties of that substance. Molecules are composed of two or more atoms bonded together. In the case of elemental molecules like oxygen (O₂), the molecule consists of two oxygen atoms, and in the case of compounds like water (H₂O), it consists of different types of atoms (hydrogen and oxygen) bonded together.

A molecule represents the substance's chemical identity and behavior, whether it is an element or a compound. This is why it is considered the smallest unit that still reflects the properties of the substance.

Information Booster

• A molecule is the smallest unit of a compound or element that retains its properties.

• Molecules can be made up of atoms of the same element (like O₂) or different elements (like H₂O).

• The properties of a molecule are determined by the types and arrangement of atoms within it.

• Atoms are the fundamental building blocks of matter, but it is the molecule that represents the substance in its entirety.

• Compounds and elements are substances made up of molecules, but molecules are the smallest particle that holds the substance's identity.

Additional Knowledge

• Compound: A compound is a substance formed when two or more different elements are chemically bonded together. While compounds are made up of molecules, the term "compound" refers to the substance as a whole, not the smallest unit. For example, water (H₂O) is a compound composed of molecules.

• Element: An element consists of atoms of a single type. The smallest particle of an element is an atom, not a molecule. For example, a molecule of oxygen (O₂) is made up of two oxygen atoms, but oxygen as an element is made up of individual oxygen atoms.

• Mixture: A mixture is a physical combination of two or more substances, where each substance retains its own properties. Mixtures do not have a smallest particle that represents all their properties. Unlike compounds, mixtures are not chemically bonded, and the components can be separated by physical means.