Questions: Which answer correctly places items from smallest to largest? covalent bond, molecule, atom, neutron electron, neutron, molecule, atom atom, proton, covalent bond, molecule electron, atomic nucleus, atom, molecule, macromolecule

Solution Steps

First, we need to understand the relative sizes of the items listed in each option:

• Electron: A subatomic particle with a very small mass and size.
• Proton/Neutron: Subatomic particles found in the nucleus of an atom, larger than an electron.
• Atomic Nucleus: The central part of an atom, containing protons and neutrons.
• Atom: The basic unit of a chemical element, consisting of a nucleus surrounded by electrons.
• Covalent Bond: A type of chemical bond involving the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.
• Molecule: A group of atoms bonded together, representing the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound.
• Macromolecule: A large complex molecule, such as proteins, nucleic acids, or synthetic polymers.

Let's evaluate each option to determine the correct order from smallest to largest:

1. covalent bond, molecule, atom, neutron:

   • Covalent bond: Involves electrons, very small.
   • Molecule: Larger than a single atom.
   • Atom: Basic unit of matter.
   • Neutron: Subatomic particle, smaller than an atom.

   This order is incorrect because a neutron is smaller than an atom and a molecule.

2. electron, neutron, molecule, atom:

   • Electron: Smallest subatomic particle.
   • Neutron: Larger than an electron.
   • Molecule: Larger than a single atom.
   • Atom: Basic unit of matter.

   This order is incorrect because a molecule is larger than an atom.

3. atom, proton, covalent bond, molecule:

   • Atom: Basic unit of matter.
   • Proton: Subatomic particle, smaller than an atom.
   • Covalent bond: Involves electrons, very small.
   • Molecule: Larger than a single atom.

   This order is incorrect because a proton and a covalent bond are smaller than an atom.

4. electron, atomic nucleus, atom, molecule, macromolecule:

   • Electron: Smallest subatomic particle.
   • Atomic nucleus: Contains protons and neutrons, larger than an electron.
   • Atom: Basic unit of matter, larger than the nucleus.
   • Molecule: Larger than a single atom.
   • Macromolecule: Large complex molecule, larger than a molecule.

   This order is correct.

Final Answer