Concept explainers
Interpretation:
The meaning of the statement, “the smallest particles unique to an element may be atoms or molecules” is to be interpreted.
Concept introduction:
An element can be defined as the basic type of matter which is composed of only one kind of atom. An atom is the fundamental unit of matter and hence an element cannot be broken down further into a simpler form.
Atoms are tiny particles which make up every matter in the universe. Every matter in the universe is composed of atoms.
A molecule can be defined as the smallest unit of a chemical compound. Molecules are made up of two or more same or different atoms. Molecules can further be classified as homogeneous or heterogeneous. Homogeneous molecules are composed of the same kind of atoms whereas heterogeneous molecules are composed of atoms of more than one kind.
Want to see the full answer?
Check out a sample textbook solutionChapter 2 Solutions
Chemistry: The Molecular Nature of Matter and Change
- ChemistryChemistryISBN:9781305957404Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCostePublisher:Cengage LearningChemistryChemistryISBN:9781259911156Author:Raymond Chang Dr., Jason Overby ProfessorPublisher:McGraw-Hill EducationPrinciples of Instrumental AnalysisChemistryISBN:9781305577213Author:Douglas A. Skoog, F. James Holler, Stanley R. CrouchPublisher:Cengage Learning
- Organic ChemistryChemistryISBN:9780078021558Author:Janice Gorzynski Smith Dr.Publisher:McGraw-Hill EducationChemistry: Principles and ReactionsChemistryISBN:9781305079373Author:William L. Masterton, Cecile N. HurleyPublisher:Cengage LearningElementary Principles of Chemical Processes, Bind...ChemistryISBN:9781118431221Author:Richard M. Felder, Ronald W. Rousseau, Lisa G. BullardPublisher:WILEY