Question

understanding matter: basic particles
what are atoms & elements?
atom
the smallest piece of matter. think of it as one single building block.
element
a pure substance made of only one type of atom.
lets practice!
word bank
atom element
directions: read each item. use the word bank to write if it is an atom or an element.

1. a single particle of gold.
2. a pure gold bar (made of only gold atoms).
3. the smallest single piece of carbon.
4. a tank filled with only oxygen atoms.
5. one single particle of helium.

Explanation:

An atom is the smallest piece of matter. An element is a pure - substance made of only one type of atom. A single particle is an atom, and a collection of the same type of atoms can be considered an element in a general sense for a pure substance.

1. A single particle of gold is an atom as it is the smallest unit.
2. A pure gold bar made of only gold atoms is an element since it's a pure substance of one - type of atom.
3. The smallest single piece of carbon is an atom.
4. A tank filled with only oxygen atoms can represent the element oxygen as it's a pure collection of one - type of atom.
5. One single particle of helium is an atom.

Answer:

1. Atom
2. Element
3. Atom
4. Element
5. Atom