Page 92 - DK Children's Encyclopedia

Elements SEE ALSO

▸ ▸ Atoms p.34
▸ ▸ Electricity p.87
An element is a material that can’t be broken down ▸ ▸ Gases p.117
into other materials. All objects are made from ▸ ▸ Liquids p.148
tiny particles called atoms, which usually ▸ ▸ Metals p.162

join together in groups. Elements are ▸ ▸ Gold pp.200–201
pure materials, which means they are ▸ ▸ Solids p.234
made from only one type of atom.

Elements everywhere
Three-quarters of the elements are part Calcium Helium
of a group called metals. They are usually The metal calcium is The gas helium is used in
party balloons because it
solids that conduct electricity. Non-metal found in rocks, living is lighter than air, so it
things, and milk. It helps
elements include gases, such as hydrogen make bones, teeth, and floats. Helium is made
and oxygen, and solids, such as carbon animal horns. inside stars.
and sulfur.

Aluminum
The soft, light metal
aluminum can be
made into foil, cans,
and airplane parts.
It doesn’t rust like
some metals.

Gold
The valuable
metal gold is found
in its pure form in
nature. It can be
hammered into
shapes without
snapping.

The periodic table
The periodic table lists all
the known elements in the Nitrogen
universe. There are more than has the Mercury is the
100 chemical elements and we symbol Ni. only metal that
keep finding more. All the is liquid at room
elements have a symbol and
are placed in groups according Uranium temperature.
to how they behave and how has the
many particles they have symbol U.
inside them.
The first periodic table, written by Mendeleev

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