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Element

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What is Element?

A chemical element is a pure substance that consists of only one type of atom, characterised by the number of protons in its nucleus (atomic number). Elements cannot be broken down into simpler substances by ordinary chemical means. There are 118 confirmed elements, 94 of which occur naturally; they are organised in the periodic table by increasing atomic number.

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Term Element

Frequently Asked Questions

A chemical element is a pure substance that consists of only one type of atom, characterised by the number of protons in its nucleus (atomic number). Elements cannot be broken down into simpler substances by ordinary chemical means. There are 118 confirmed elements, 94 of which occur naturally; they are organised in the periodic table by increasing atomic number.

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