Elements

All matter is composed of fundamental substances called elements. Depending on the combination of elements, the result is a different material, with different characteristics. And while some elements are naturally occurring, others are only now being realized as they are created inside particle accelerators. Here are all the latest discoveries and developments to help you keep up with the fascinating world of elements.

Related Topics: Magnetism, Chemical Reactions, Physics

Latest Updates

Francium on the periodic table

Francium: Facts about the elusive radioactive element

By Joe Phelan published

Properties and sources of the element francium.

Carbon

Carbon: Facts about an element that is a key ingredient for life on Earth

By Stephanie Pappas last updated

Reference Carbon is one of the most abundant elements and forms a very large number of compounds, including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and carbon disulfide.

Natural native copper isolated on white background. VvoeVale via Getty Images

Copper: Facts about the reddish metal that has been used by humans for 8,000 years

By Stephanie Pappas published

Reference Here's a look at the element copper, including its atomic structure, history and uses today.

Uranium nitrate called uranyl, with uranium ore, radioactive material on isolated white background_RHJ via Getty Images

Uranium: Facts about the radioactive element that powers nuclear reactors and bombs

By Stephanie Pappas published

Reference Uranium is a naturally radioactive element. It powers nuclear reactors and atomic bombs.

A gold nugget

Gold: Facts, history and uses of the most malleable chemical element

By Stephanie Pappas published

Here's a look at the chemical element gold, including its properties, atomic structure and history.

Periodic Table of Elements.

Periodic Table of Elements

By Tim Sharp, Jeanna Bryner last updated

The Periodic Table, first created by Dmitri Mendeleev, organizes all of the known elements in an informative array.

This image represents the new isotope, magnesium-18.

Scientists create never-before-seen isotope of magnesium

By Tom Metcalfe published

Scientists have just created the world's lightest form of magnesium — a never-before-seen isotope with just six neutrons in its atomic nuclei.

The classic Periodic Table organizes the chemical elements according to the number of protons that each has in its atomic nucleus.

How the Periodic Table of the Elements is arranged

By Charlie Wood, Ben Biggs last updated

Reference The elements in the periodic table are arranged according to the transition from metal to nonmetal elements.

An illustration showing the atomic structure of the chemical element einsteinium, which has 99 electrons in its shells.

Chemists create and capture einsteinium, the elusive 99th element

By Harry Baker last updated

Scientists have finally uncovered some of the basic chemical properties of einsteinium — one of the hardest elements to study.

These towers of cosmic dust and gas make up part of the Eagle Nebula.

'Missing' Interstellar Iron May Just Be Good at Hiding

By Yasemin Saplakoglu published

Interstellar space should be filled with gaseous iron. But until now, astronomers couldn't find it.

Periodic table of elements

How Many Chemical Elements Can You Name? 1 in 5 Americans Can't Name One.

By Stephanie Pappas last updated

One in 5 Americans can't name a single element on the Periodic Table.

neutron stars

Scientists Think They've Found the Ancient Neutron Star Crash That Showered Our Solar System in Gold

By Brandon Specktor published

A nearby neutron star collision may have rained bling on our solar system when it was a baby.

Melting clock

Is It Solid? Or Is It Liquid? New Kind of Matter Is Both.

By Mindy Weisberger published

Solid and liquid intertwine at the atomic level.

Chemically, Earth Is Basically a Less Volatile Version of the Sun

By Mindy Weisberger published

The elemental composition of Earth and sun are unexpectedly similar.

An illustration of a supernova

Physicists Think They've Figured Out the Most Extreme Chemical Factories in the Universe

By Rafi Letzter published

Our world is full of chemicals that shouldn't exist. New research could explain why they exist anyway.

Mendeleev’s first periodic table of elements was released on Feb. 17, 1869.

Mendeleev's Periodic Table Draft Is Virtually Unrecognizable — But It Changed Science Forever

By Brandon Specktor last updated

Back in 1869, the periodic table of elements had just 63 elements and was scribbled in ink.

periodic table euchems

Europe's 'New' Periodic Table Predicts Which Elements Will Disappear in the Next 100 Years

By Brandon Specktor last updated

Oxygen can breathe easy, but the party may be over for helium balloons.

periodic table, oldest periodic table

World’s Oldest Periodic Table Poster Turns Up in Scottish Storeroom

By Brandon Specktor last updated

The world's oldest classroom poster of the periodic table of elements, dating to 1885, has turned up in Scotland.

Radioactive sign

Polonium: A Rare and Highly Volatile Radioactive Element

By Traci Pedersen published

Polonium was a critical ingredient in the first atomic bomb and it's a suspected poison in more than one high-profile death.

Lithium batteries

What Is Lithium?

By Stephanie Pappas published

Lithium is a metal used in manufacturing, electronics and mental health.