Each element has unique chemical and physical properties and because of this elements vary in how reactive they are. They differ in how easily they combine with other elements that they come into contact with (forming compounds like water, mineral ores, salt, etc).
Where you find elements in a pure form, uncombined with other elements, you will either notice that one or more of the following are true:
In layman's terms you could think of the elements as having personalities, some elements are very gregarious and outgoing, easily making friends with almost anyone they meet. Most are more guarded, and while certainly willing to make friends, are more selective about who they befriend. While a few are quite antisocial and almost never make friends (and only under extreme circumstances). You could look at those personalities and make predictions about how many friends each will have. Low reactivity elements are like the last group, much more likely to be found all by themselves while the rest will be found with their friends.
Halogens are highly reactive elements that readily form compounds with other elements. Their high reactivity prevents them from existing in a free state in nature. Instead, halogens like fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine are commonly found in nature as part of compounds such as salts or minerals.
Only a few metals are found in the free state, generally metals react to form for example oxides, sulfides which then may further react. Some found free are gold silver copper and platinum. All of these are relatively unreactive
Phosphorus is not found in its free state in nature but is mostly contained in phosphate minerals, which are the main sources of phosphorus used for fertilizers. Additionally, phosphorus can also be found in biological organisms like plants and animals.
Group 1 (alkali metals) and Group 17 (halogens) in the periodic table contain elements that are highly reactive and are never found in their free state in nature. Alkali metals readily react with water or air, while halogens are highly reactive nonmetals that form compounds with other elements quickly.
Sodium is a highly reactive metal that easily forms compounds with other elements due to its tendency to lose an electron to achieve stability. This reactivity prevents sodium from existing in its pure form in nature. It is usually found combined with other elements, such as chloride in salt (sodium chloride).
Most elements are sufficiently reactive so it can not exist in elemental form.
Fluorine is an element that is never found in its free state in nature due to its high reactivity, forming compounds with other elements very quickly.
The noble gases.
Gold is the metal that occurs in a free state in nature. It is usually found in its pure form, uncombined with other elements, making it easily recognizable and highly valued.
most elements have partly filled orbitals (or shells) and they try to gain, lose or share electrons so as to satisfy octet rule. Hence they are reactive and not generally found in free state
Halogens are highly reactive elements that readily form compounds with other elements. Their high reactivity prevents them from existing in a free state in nature. Instead, halogens like fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine are commonly found in nature as part of compounds such as salts or minerals.
The noble gases.
Examples of elements that exist as free metal in nature include gold, silver, and copper. These elements are often found in their metallic form in the Earth's crust and are relatively unreactive.
Only a few metals are found in the free state, generally metals react to form for example oxides, sulfides which then may further react. Some found free are gold silver copper and platinum. All of these are relatively unreactive
Yes, the halogens did occur in nature as free elements.
iron,silver,and gold
because they are too reactive to exist on their own, they bond with other elements in nature to satisfy their need for electrons