Elements

ELEMENTS 

An elements is a substance that is made up of a kind of particle called atom.

Elements are the fundamental building blocks of matter and cannot be broken down into simpler unit or substances by chemical means.

An element is a substance that cannot be split or separated into simpler unit or substance by any chemical means.

There are 118 known elements but we are looking at the first 20 elements.

Combination of elements is called compounds.

SYMBOLS OF ELEMENTS 

Symbols of elements are the abbreviations used in chemistry to represent elements. Symbols of elements usually consists of one or two letters written with the first letter capitalized.

Below are the first 20 elements:

Hydrogen H

Helium He

Lithium Li

Beryllium Be

Boron B

Carbon C

Nitrogen N

Oxygen O

Fluorine F

Neon Ne

Sodium Na

Magnesium Mg

Aluminum Al

Silicon Si

Phosphorus P

Sulfur S

Chlorine Cl

Argon At

Potassium K

Calcium Ca

ATOM

And atom is the basic unit of matter consisting of a nucleus composed of protons and neutrons with electrons orbiting round the nucleus. Here are the key components of an atom:

1. Nucleus: The central part of an atom, the nucleus contains protons and neutrons. Protons carry a positive electric charge while neutrons have no charge (they are neutral). The nucleus is held together by a strong force.

   2. Protons: Positively charged subatomic particles found in the nucleus of an atom. The number of protons in an atom determines its identity as an element and is referred to as the atomic number.

   3: Neutrons: Neutrally charged subatomic particles found in the nucleus of an atom. Together with protons, neutrons contribute to the mass of the atom.

   4: Electrons: Negatively charged subatomic particles that orbit round the nucleus in electron shells or energy levels. Electrons are much lighter than protons and neutrons and contribute very little to the overall mass of the atom.