Key points
An element is a substance that cannot be broken down into any other substance. Every element is made up of its own type of atom. This is why the chemical elements are all very different from each other.
Everything in the universe contains the atoms of at least one or more element.
The periodic table lists all the known elements and groups together those with similar properties.
A case study video on how a jeweller uses gold in their job.
What is an element?
An element is a substance that cannot be broken down into any other substance. There are about 100 elements, each with its own type of The smallest particle of an element. We often think of atoms as tiny spheres, but in fact they are made from smaller particles called protons, neutrons and electrons.. Everything in the universe contains the atoms of at least one or more elements.
The periodic table lists all the known elements, grouping together those with similar The properties of a substance are the qualities and characteristics of a substance that describe and identify it.. Most elements are metals, which are shiny and conduct electricity well. Metals include gold, aluminium and iron which are all solid at room temperature. Mercury is the only metal that is One of the three states of matter. Liquids, like water or oil, do not have a fixed shape and can flow. at room temperature.
Some elements are non-metals. Most non-metals are One of the three states of matter. Gases, like oxygen or helium, do not have a fixed shape and can expand to fill their container. at room temperature and do not conduct electricity. Non-metal elements with these properties include oxygen, hydrogen and chlorine. A few non-metals, such as carbon and sulphur, are in a One of the three states of matter. Solids, like ice or concrete, have a fixed shape and cannot be compressed easily. state at room temperature.
A model of the structure of gold and an oxygen molecule.
Play the Atomic Labs game! game
Try out practical experiments in this KS3 science game.
More on Atoms, elements and compounds
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