Chemical element | Definition, Origins, Distribution, Facts | Britannica A chemical element is any substance that cannot be decomposed into simpler substances by ordinary chemical processes Elements are the fundamental materials of which all matter is composed Learn more about the origins, distribution, and characteristics of chemical elements in this article
Chemical element - Atomic Structure, Periodic Table, Properties . . . Chemical element - Atomic Structure, Periodic Table, Properties: Paralleling the development of the concept of elements was an understanding of the nature of matter At various times in history, matter has been considered to be either continuous or discontinuous Continuous matter is postulated to be homogeneous and divisible without limit, each part exhibiting identical properties regardless
Hydrogen | Properties, Uses, Facts | Britannica Hydrogen, a colorless, odorless, tasteless, flammable gaseous substance that is the simplest member of the family of chemical elements The earliest known chemical property of hydrogen is that it burns with oxygen to form water; indeed, the name hydrogen is derived from Greek words meaning ‘maker of water ’
Silver | Facts, Properties, Uses | Britannica Silver, chemical element of atomic number 47, a white lustrous metal valued for its decorative beauty and electrical conductivity Silver’s physical and chemical properties are intermediate between those of copper and gold It is located in Group 11 of the periodic table
Mercury | Definition, Uses, Density, Facts | Britannica Mercury, chemical element, liquid metal of Group 12 of the periodic table Mercury is the only elemental metal that is liquid at room temperature Mercury is silvery white and slowly tarnishes in moist air It alloys with copper, tin, and zinc to form amalgams, or liquid alloys
Neon | Definition, Uses, Melting Point, Facts | Britannica Neon is a chemical element, an inert gas of Group 18 (noble gases) of the periodic table It is used in electric signs and fluorescent lamps Colorless, odorless, tasteless, and lighter than air, neon gas occurs in minute quantities in Earth’s atmosphere and is trapped within the rocks of Earth’s crust
Gold | Facts, Properties, Uses | Britannica Gold, a dense lustrous yellow precious metal and a chemical element of Group 11 Gold is attractive in color and brightness, durable to the point of virtual indestructibility, highly malleable, and usually found in nature in a comparatively pure form
Fluorine | Uses, Properties, Facts | Britannica Fluorine, the most reactive chemical element and the lightest member of the halogen elements Its chemical activity can be attributed to its extreme ability to attract electrons (it is the most electronegative element) and to the small size of its atoms
Tin | Definition, Properties, Uses, Facts | Britannica Tin, a chemical element belonging to the carbon family, Group 14 (IVa) of the periodic table It is a soft, silvery white metal with a bluish tinge, known to the ancients in bronze, an alloy with copper Tin is widely used for plating steel cans used as food containers, in metals used for bearings, and in solder