Facts about elements

• Elements are the building blocks of matter. As of October 16, 2006, scientists know of 117 different elements. All of these elements are arranged in a Periodic Table.
• The periodic table arranges the chemical elements into a pattern so someone can predict the properties of elements based on where they are located on the table. Elements are arranged from left to right and from top to bottom in order of increasing atomic number or number of protons in the element.
• Many believe the word chemistry comes from the Egyptian word for “earth”. The Ancient Egyptians, by 1000 BC, were using chemistry to make cosmetics, extract metal from ore, fermenting wine, and using plants to make medicine.
• Hydrogen is the first element on the periodic table. It has an atomic number of 1. It is highly flammable and is the most common element found in our universe.
• Cooking is chemistry.
• Chemistry is used in n many fields, but is mostly seen in the sciences and in medicine