What is an element Name any five elements?

An element is the simplest and purest form of matter that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by ordinary chemical means. Think of it as the fundamental building block of everything around us. Each element is unique and is defined by the number of protons in its atoms. For example, every atom of hydrogen has one proton, and every atom of oxygen has eight protons.

If you try to break down an element, say by heating it or mixing it with other chemicals, you'll still end up with that same element, just in a different form or combined with something else. All the known elements are organized on the Periodic Table.

Here are five common examples of elements:

• Oxygen (O): This is the air we breathe and is vital for almost all life on Earth. It's a gas at room temperature.
• Hydrogen (H): The lightest and most abundant element in the universe. It's a key component of water (H₂O).
• Carbon (C): The backbone of all organic life. It's found in everything from diamonds and graphite to all living things.
• Iron (Fe): A very common metal, essential for making steel and found in the Earth's core. It's also vital for our blood.
• Gold (Au): A precious, shiny metal known for its beauty and resistance to corrosion, often used in jewelry and electronics.