Elements are the basic building blocks of matter, consisting of atoms that share the same number of protons in their nuclei. Each element is represented on the Periodic Table, which organizes them by their atomic number and properties. There are currently 118 known elements, ranging from Hydrogen, the simplest, to Oganesson, a synthetic element.
Elements can combine to form compounds, which are substances made of two or more different elements bonded together. For example, Water is a compound made of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Understanding elements is essential in fields like chemistry, biology, and materials science.