What is an element??

The elements are sometimes called the building blocks of the universe because everything in the universe including ourselves is made of them. The nucleus of each element consists of atoms with the same number of protons. Each element is unique, although elements can exist in different formsfor examples, carbon may be soft graphite or hard diamonds. Elements cannot usually be broken down into any other substance.

There are about 118 elements altogether, and 91 occur naturally on Earth. Others can be created artificially in laboratories, but in minute quantities and they have very short lifespans of only thousandths of seconds. Each element is also known by a one or two letter symbol as well as its name. An example would be iron is FE and Sodium is Na.

What are the lightest elements?

Hydrogen

Hydrogen is the simplest and lightest element, and the most common in the entire universe93 per cent of all toms in the universe are hydrogen atoms

Helium

Helium is twice as heavy as helium, but it is still only one seventh the weight of air. Unlike hydrogen, helium does not burn, so it is used in modern airships.

Lithium

Lithium was discovered in 1817 by a Swedish scientist Johan August Arfvedson. It takes its name from the Latin word for rock, although it is actually metal. Lithium floats because it is half as heavy as water, and lighter than some types of wood.

Potassium and sodium

Both of these elements were discovered in 1807 by Sir Humphry Davy. Both are metals that are lighter than water. In a laboratory, potassium is usually kept in paraffin because if it comes into contact with water it releases hydrogen and generates so much heat that it catches on fire.

What are the Heaviest Elements?

-Osmium

Osmium is the heaviest element of all. It was discovered by the British chemist Smithson Tennant in 1803. He named it after the Greek word for smell because it smelt bad.

Platinum

Platinum was used before anyone realized that it was an element. It weighs almost as much as osmium and is used to make jewelery that is even more expensive than gold!!

Gold

Gold is the best known of all heavy metals. Gold has been prized since ancient times and has many uses beyond coins and jewelery