ELEMENT
[Figure 1]
As this mountain of trash suggests, there are many different kinds of matter. In fact, there are
millions of different kinds of matter in the universe. Yet all kinds of matter actually consist of
relatively few pure substances.
Pure Substances
A pure substance is called an element. An element is a pure substance because it cannot be
separated into any other substances. Currently, 92 different elements are known to exist in
nature, although additional elements have been formed in labs. All matter consists of one or
more of these elements. Some elements are very common; others are relatively rare. The most
common element in the universe is hydrogen, which is part of Earth’s atmosphere and a
component of water. The most common element in Earth’s atmosphere is nitrogen, and the most
common element in Earth’s crust is oxygen.
, ELEMENT
Elemental Properties
Each element has a unique set of properties that is different from the set of properties of any
other element. For example, the element iron is a solid that is attracted by a magnet and can be
made into a magnet, like the compass needle shown in the Figure below. The element neon, on
the other hand, is a gas that gives off a red glow when electricity flows through it. The lighted
sign in the Figure below contains neon.
[Figure 2]
The needle of this compass is made of the element iron.
[Figure 1]
As this mountain of trash suggests, there are many different kinds of matter. In fact, there are
millions of different kinds of matter in the universe. Yet all kinds of matter actually consist of
relatively few pure substances.
Pure Substances
A pure substance is called an element. An element is a pure substance because it cannot be
separated into any other substances. Currently, 92 different elements are known to exist in
nature, although additional elements have been formed in labs. All matter consists of one or
more of these elements. Some elements are very common; others are relatively rare. The most
common element in the universe is hydrogen, which is part of Earth’s atmosphere and a
component of water. The most common element in Earth’s atmosphere is nitrogen, and the most
common element in Earth’s crust is oxygen.
, ELEMENT
Elemental Properties
Each element has a unique set of properties that is different from the set of properties of any
other element. For example, the element iron is a solid that is attracted by a magnet and can be
made into a magnet, like the compass needle shown in the Figure below. The element neon, on
the other hand, is a gas that gives off a red glow when electricity flows through it. The lighted
sign in the Figure below contains neon.
[Figure 2]
The needle of this compass is made of the element iron.
