Question

Elements are made of atoms that all have the same properties. How many individual atoms (all with the same properties) can a pure substance contain and still be considered an element?

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There is no limit as to how many atoms an element can consist of.

Answer 1

An element can contain an unlimited number of atoms and still be considered the same element as long as all the atoms have the same number of protons. Elements are fundamental substances represented on the Periodic Table, and the quantity of atoms does not change the classificatory status of a substance as an element.

Step-by-step explanation:

Elements are made of atoms that all have the same properties. There is no limit to the number of individual atoms a pure substance can contain and still be considered an element. An element consists of atoms with a specific number of protons in their nuclei; this atomic number is unique to that element and defines its identity on the Periodic Table of the Elements. For instance, every carbon atom has six protons, and regardless of the quantity of carbon atoms present, it will still be classified as the element carbon.

The concept of an element is foundational to chemistry, and while there are about 90 naturally occurring elements and additional synthetic ones, the principle that defines an element is consistent regardless of the number of atoms. These atoms cannot be broken down into simpler substances and are identical in size, mass, and other intrinsic properties. Even if we have a sample containing trillions of carbon atoms, it is still considered pure carbon.