What is the smallest part of an element?

An atom is the smallest unit of matter that has the properties of an element. It is composed of a dense core called the nucleus and a series of outer shells occupied by orbiting electrons. The nucleus, composed of protons and neutrons, is at the center of an atom.

Explanation:

Explanation:

I am going to guess you mean a atom in which a atom is made of a nucleus and protons neutrons and electrons with electrons being the smallest. But there are even smaller sub atomic particles like leptons and quarks but there are over 200 sub atomic particles and no real way of knowing the smallest.

i'm assuming that the correct answer is indeed the first one/ "a"..