A chemical element is a type of substance that can’t be broken down into anything simpler. Everything around us is made up of elements, from the air we breathe to the water we drink. Each element has its own unique properties that make it different from other elements.
Elements are identified by their atomic number, which tells you how many protons are in their nucleus. There are over 100 different elements, and they can combine with each other to form compounds and molecules, which make up everything we see and touch.
