Final answer:
An element is a pure substance made of only one type of atom, all elements are listed on the periodic table, and they have a unique chemical symbol with specific capitalization.
Step-by-step explanation:
Elements are fundamental substances that can be characterized by several key points. First, an element is a pure substance that cannot be broken down into a simpler form by ordinary chemical means. Each element is made up of only one type of atom.
Second, all known elements are listed on the periodic table of elements, a comprehensive chart that organizes elements by their properties. Third, each element has a unique chemical symbol that begins with a capital letter; if there is a second letter, it is always in lowercase. For example, the symbol for helium is He, not HE or he.