Homeschool Unit Study: Elements

Periodic Table - Elements Unit Study.jpg

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There are 118 known elements (as recently as 2020), each made up of atoms. In fact, the word “element” actually describes atoms with specific characteristics. Our universe can be explained through elements, even down to the human body, with over 95 percent of a human body being made of nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, phosphorous, calcium, and oxygen.

It’s possible that more elements will be discovered as scientists continue to explore earth and space. In fact, in 2014, element 117 was confirmed to have been created. As time goes on, it is likely that more elements will be discovered—making a system of organization for them critical.

The system that scientists use to organize elements is the periodic table. It is a large grid with the location of each element being determined by its atomic structure. Elements are arranged from left to right and top to bottom in order of increasing atomic number.