Final answer:
The most recently discovered element as of 2010 is Tennessine (Ts), known as element 117, expanding the periodic table and the knowledge about atomic science since the discovery of earlier elements like uranium and neptunium.
Step-by-step explanation:
The element that was most recently discovered as of 2010 is element 117, known as Tennessine (Ts). The discovery of Tennessine was officially reported in 2010. As we delve deeper into the origins of atoms and elements, we learn that elements are substances consisting of one type of atom and cannot be broken down into simpler substances. The concept of the element is only about 200 years old, with the last naturally occurring element being identified about 80 years ago. The periodic table of elements, which articulates the chemical relationships between elements, has expanded thanks to the synthesis of artificial elements beyond uranium (atomic number 92), the heaviest-known element prior to 1940. Since then, artificial elements like neptunium (Np) and others have been created, pushing the boundaries of science and affecting society in various ways.