There are different kinds of atoms. Matter that contains only one kind of atom is called an element. Currently, there are 118 different kinds of known elements. 98 of these elements exists naturally. The remaining elements are made in the laboratory and they do not exist in nature. Each of these elements differ in the number of protons found in the nucleus of a single atom. The number of protons in the nucleus determines the what kind of element that it is. For example, the air that you breath contains oxygen. The element oxygen contains 8 protons in the nucleus of a single atom.
Scientists organize all of the known elements onto a table called The Periodic Table of the Elements. On the periodic table shown, the number of protons in the nucleus of the atom is shown in the upper left-hand corner of each block. Each block contains information about that specific element.
Atoms and Elements
Compare atoms and elements.
