What Are Elements? - BBC Bitesize

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1. Key points
2. What is an element?

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.

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 atom. 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 properties. 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 liquid at room temperature.

Some elements are non-metals. Most non-metals are gases 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 solid state at room temperature.

Try out practical experiments in this KS3 science game.

More on Atoms, elements and compounds

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