In chemistry, an element is a pure substance consisting only of atoms that all have the same numbers of protons in their nuclei. Unlike chemical compounds, chemical elements cannot be broken down into simpler substances by any chemical reaction.

What is an element easy definition?

element. [ ĕl′ə-mənt ] A substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means. An element is composed of atoms that have the same atomic number, that is, each atom has the same number of protons in its nucleus as all other atoms of that element.

What is element example?

A chemical element refers to the pure substance of one type of atom. ... For example, carbon is an element comprised of atoms having the same number of protons, i.e. 6. Common examples of elements are iron, copper, silver, gold, hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen.