Learn what an element is in chemistry, see real-life examples, and understand element classification, properties, and how to distinguish elements from compounds. Ideal for students in classes 7–12. A chemical element is a substance that cannot be further broken down by any chemical reaction. Each element has a unique number of protons in its atom. For example, a hydrogen atom has 1 proton, while a carbon atom has 6 protons. Varying the number of electrons in an atom of an element produces ions. Changing the number of neutrons produces isotopes. There are 118 known elements . An element is a substance whose atoms all have the same number of protons. Learn about the history, names, numbers, and abundances of elements, and how they combine to form compounds. Learn what an element is , how it was first defined by Robert Boyle, and how it can be classified based on its properties and affinity for other elements. Explore the origin of the elements, the geochemical classification, and the six elements of life with examples and quizzes.
