What is the smallest particle of an element that still has the same chemical properties? A. molecule B. mixture C. atom D. compound

The correct answer is C. atom.An atom is the smallest particle of an element that still retains the same chemical properties as the element. Atoms are the basic building blocks of matter and are composed of subatomic particles such as protons, neutrons, and electrons. Each element is defined by the number of protons in its atoms, which determines its atomic number and chemical properties.Option A, molecule, is a group of atoms bonded together, representing the smallest unit of a compound. Molecules can be composed of atoms from the same element or different elements.Option B, mixture, refers to a combination of two or more substances that are not chemically bonded and can be separated by physical means. A mixture does not have a fixed composition and can vary in its proportions of components.Option D, compound, is a substance formed when two or more elements are chemically bonded in a fixed ratio. Compounds have properties that are different from the elements that make them up.Therefore, the correct answer is C. atom, as it is the smallest particle of an element that still retains the same chemical properties as the element.