Elements

A Closer Look

An element cannot be broken down any further (other than into separate atoms) by ordinary chemical processes. A lot of elements are mixed with other elements, which is called a compound, and so they have to be split apart in order to create the pure element.

These single elements can have a variety of uses - from using oxygen as a gas to help us breathe when having surgery (used in a gas canister), to using gold to create a computer chip that processes data. We use elements in everyday materials too, like a pencil, which is made of carbon.

Everything in the universe contains the atoms of at least one or more elements. If we look at the human body, this is a clear example. We are made of carbon, but inside our body we have water, blood (which contains a lot of nutrients and elements such as iron) and bone, which contains calcium.

Plants and trees are also made up of elements, and also contain a lot of carbon. Carbon is an abundant element that is necessary for life, and without it (and oxygen) we would not have life as we know it.

Interesting fact: elements are grouped together in their periods on the periodic table. This is becase they have similar properties.

On The Periodic Table

If you take a look at the periodic table, you will notice a trend. The majority of elements on there are metals. Ninety-one of the 118 elements we know of are metals.

These metals are often shiny and will conduct electricity. Of all the elements, the majority of them at room temperature are in solid state. The only exception is Mercury, which is a liquid. It used to be used in thermometers to indicate temperature, but this has since been replaced with another liquid.

Here is a YouTube video from Fuse about Elements:

Most elements that are non-metals are gases at room temperature. They are unable to conduct electricity, due to them being a gas. A few non-metals, such as carbon and sulphur, are solid at room temperature - you; you are made of carbon. So is a wooden desk, etc.