What is the smallest unit of an element can be broken down into and still have the same properties?

The answer is an atom! :)

Variables,control,conclusion and finally scientific theory

The independent variable is the type of music.the dependent variable is the pulse rate.the intervening variable is the age of the subject.if the mother does not like rock, her pulse is likely to not increase.the same might be true for the sister.the friend may like rap and gets excited.to establish cause/effect relationship, all of the subjects must be consistent.hope i .