New Jersey State Board Prometric Practice Exam

The simplest form of matter in an element is an atom. Atoms are the fundamental building blocks of all matter and represent the smallest units of an element that maintain the properties of that element. Each element in the periodic table is defined by its specific type of atom, which consists of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons.

Molecules consist of two or more atoms that are chemically bonded together and can include atoms of different elements or the same element. Compounds are substances formed when two or more different elements are chemically bonded, reflecting a higher level of complexity than individual atoms. Ions are atoms or molecules that have gained or lost electrons, resulting in a net electrical charge, but they still can be broken down into their atomic components.

Understanding that an atom is the basic unit allows for a clear distinction between more complex arrangements of matter, such as molecules and compounds, reinforcing the idea that an atom is indeed the simplest form of matter that retains the unique properties of an element.