Question

_______________ and molecules are the fundamental building blocks of matter.
A.Cells
B.Ions
C.Atoms
D.None of the above

Answer 1

Fundamental building blocks of matter are made up of smaller entities which take up space, has mass and occupies a definite volume. A matter is made up of smaller constituents of elements. An element may exist in many forms such as atoms, molecules and ions.

Complete step by step solution:
The smallest particles of matter which cannot be divided further are called atoms. Atoms are the smallest building blocks of matter.
Examples: Hydrogen ( ${\text{H}}$ ) , Carbon ( ${\text{C}}$ ), Nitrogen ( ${\text{N}}$ ), Sodium ( ${\text{Na}}$ ), Potassium ( ${\text{K}}$ ) etc.
A group of two or more different atoms of the same or different elements which combine together through a chemical bond are called molecules.
Examples: Two atoms of hydrogen combine together to form a diatomic hydrogen molecule ( ${{\text{H}}_2}$ ).
Two atoms of oxygen combine together to form a diatomic oxygen molecule ( ${{\text{O}}_2}$ ).
Same type of atoms combine together by forming chemical bonds between them to form molecules of elements.
Atoms of different elements combine together in different ratios by forming chemical bonds between them to form molecules of compounds.
Examples: A carbon dioxide molecule ( ${\text{C}}{{\text{O}}_2}$ ) consists of two atoms of oxygen and one atom of carbon.
A water molecule ( ${{\text{H}}_2}{\text{O}}$ ) consists of two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen.

Anything that occupies space and has mass is called matter. A matter is made up of smaller constituents of elements called atoms and molecules which have a mass of their own. The mass of an atom is called atomic mass and the mass of a molecule is called molecular mass.

So, we can conclude that atoms and molecules are the fundamental building blocks of matter.

Hence, option (C) is the correct answer.

Note:
Have a clear understanding about the concept of matter. Matter should not be confused with mass, as these are two different entities. Matter refers to any physical substance that has mass, occupies space and has a definite volume. All objects that can be touched are made up of fundamental particles called atoms or molecules.