How many different elements do we know about?

Answer 1

At present (2013) the Periodic Table lists 118 elements in total.

A small number of these are not naturally occuring and have only been synthesised under laboratory conditions and only in exceptionally minute quantities.

Elements consist of particles called atoms that consist of protons, electrons and optionally neutrons. Protons and neutrons are in the core of the atom, while electrons reside on different energy levels in a cloud around the core.

The atomic number of the element is determined by the number of protons in the core.

The lightest, simplest element in the universe is hydrogen-1, which consists of one proton and one electron.

There are also isotopes (different types) of hydrogen that have one or two neutrons in the core.

Since the number of protons defines the element, we can create a different element by adding more protons to the core. To make the new element an atom, we need to add a corresponding number of electrons, since protons are positively and electrons are negatively charged and an atom is always neutrally charged.

The more protons and neutrons you add to a core, the bigger it gets. When the core gets bigger, it also gets more unstable. This puts limits to what kind of elements occur in nature and also causes some elements to be radioactive.

The number of different elements that are proven to exist is 118, with the largest atom being number 118 (temporary name ununoctium), since element number 119 is yet to be found.

As of 2012, 55 hypothetical elements are being created.

Answer 2

Today 118 chemical elements have been named; 92 are naturally occurring

Answer 3

There are 92 naturally occurring elements in nature. There are 115 on the periodic table as it lists synthetic elements .

Answer 4

The standard Periodic Table of Elements that we have today consists of 117 elements.

Answer 5

To date, we know of the existence of 118 elements.

Answer 6

Now (February 2015) are known 118 chemical elements, natural or artificial and more than 3 000 isotopes.