Final answer:
Helium and nickel are elements, which are pure substances that can't be chemically broken down into simpler forms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Helium and nickel are classified as elements, which are pure substances that make up all kinds of matter. These substances cannot be broken down into simpler substances through chemical changes. Some familiar examples of elements include iron, silver, and gold. There are more than 100 known elements, of which about 90 occur naturally on Earth with the remainder having been created in laboratories.