Question

1.3.2 test (cst): science and engineering
question 23 of 25
what is the smallest part of a chemical compound that has all the properties of that compound?

a. a mineral
b. a molecule
c. a nucleus
d. an atom

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A: A mineral is a naturally occurring inorganic solid, not the smallest part of a compound.
• Option B: A molecule is the smallest unit of a chemical compound that retains all the properties of that compound. For example, a water molecule ($H_2O$) has all the properties of water.
• Option C: A nucleus is the central part of an atom, not related to the compound's properties.
• Option D: An atom is the smallest unit of an element, not a compound (compounds are made of two or more different atoms bonded, and the molecule is the smallest unit of the compound).

Answer:

B. A molecule