
Elements are pure substances made of only one type of atom. An atom is made of protons, neutrons, and electrons. For example, a carbon atom has 6 protons, 6 neutrons, and 6 electrons. This gives carbon unique properties that can be used to identify it. There are 118 naturally occurring elements, each one has a different number of protons.
To better understand the properties of elements…
LET’S BREAK IT DOWN!
Elements are made of the same types of atoms.

Elements are naturally occurring substances that exist in all three states—solid, liquid, and gas. Elements are made of the same types of atoms. For example, oxygen exists naturally as a diatomic element, meaning that it has two oxygen atoms. Each atom is made of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons and neutrons are positioned in the center of the atom called the nucleus, and electrons are found in the outer portions of the atom called energy levels, or electron orbitals.