If atoms conatain smaller particles. why are atoms considered the basic unit of matter

How is the atomic number of a nucleus changed by alpha decay

What is a difference between a mixture of elements and a mixture of compounds

Imagine if during the cathode ray experiment, the size of the particles of the ray was the same as the size of the atom forming the cathode. which other model or scientific observation would have also been supported? 1. this would support dalton's postulates that proposed the atoms are indivisible because no small particles are involved. 2. this would support bohr's prediction about electrons moving in orbits having specific energy. 3. this would support bohr's prediction about electrons being randomly scattered around the nucleus in the atom. 4. this would support dalton's postulates that proposed that atoms combine in fixed whole number ratios to form compounds.