Final answer:
The chart containing all known elements is the periodic table, which arranges elements by atomic number and provides key details such as chemical symbols and mass numbers. Elements with similar properties are grouped together, and the table includes both natural and man-made elements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chart that contains all known elements is referred to as the periodic table of the elements. This significant scientific tool lists the elements in order of their atomic number, beginning with hydrogen and helium at the top and moving to more massive elements below. The periodic table is effectively used to display key information for each element, such as the chemical symbol, atomic number, and mass number, and organizes the elements by their tendencies to react with others. Interestingly, the number of protons and electrons in each element is equal, though the number of protons and neutrons may not always be the same.
Historically, the concept of elements dates back to around 3000 B.C., with the philosopher Aristotle proposing that earth was made up of elements such as Earth, Water, Fire, and Air. While these aren't the elements we recognize today, they represent the embryonic idea that complex substances could be broken down into simpler components. As science progressed, so did the understanding and categorization of elements, resulting in the comprehensive chart we have today.
While the periodic table often highlights the first 92 naturally occurring elements, it also includes man-made elements, bringing the total count to approximately 118 known elements. Each element in the periodic table is identified by a unique chemical symbol, and elements with similar properties are grouped together, making it an indispensable resource in chemistry.