Which of the following is NOT a property of an atom?

An atom is fundamentally composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons, which are its basic building blocks. This characteristic is essential, as it defines what an atom is and outlines its structure. Atoms also exhibit properties that are characteristic of the elements they represent; for example, a carbon atom retains the properties that make up elemental carbon.

Atoms can exist in various states of matter—solid, liquid, or gas—depending on environmental conditions, such as temperature and pressure. This versatility is a central aspect of their behavior in different contexts, including chemical reactions and physical changes.

While atoms can interact in ways that lead to the formation of molecules or compounds, they themselves are the smallest unit of matter that maintain the properties of an element. When it comes to dividing an atom, it’s important to note that they can be split, but this usually occurs during nuclear reactions rather than in typical chemical processes. The division of an atom into smaller particles highlights its potential for change but goes against the definition of an atom as the smallest indivisible unit of matter in chemistry.

Consequently, the characteristic of being divided into smaller particles does not accurately represent a property of an atom in the context of classical chemistry, thus making it the correct response to the question.