Chemistry Activity · Grades 4–7

Chemical Elements

A structured research activity where students investigate a chemical element from the periodic table — recording its atomic number, chemical symbol, state, uses, and interesting facts. Includes a project rubric.

Reading Passage

Chemical Elements

Everything in the universe is made of matter, and all matter is made up of chemical elements. An element is a pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means. There are 118 known elements, all organized on the periodic table of elements.

Each element has a unique atomic number, which equals the number of protons in its nucleus. Elements are represented by one or two-letter chemical symbols. For example, hydrogen is H, oxygen is O, gold is Au, and iron is Fe. Each element also has a specific atomic mass, which is the average mass of its atoms.

Elements exist in three main states at room temperature: solid, liquid, or gas. Most elements are solids. Two elements — mercury and bromine — are liquids at room temperature. Many elements are gases, like oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen.

Elements can also be classified as metals, nonmetals, or metalloids. Metals are generally shiny, conduct electricity, and can be shaped. Nonmetals are often gases or brittle solids. Metalloids have properties of both metals and nonmetals. Understanding the elements is the foundation of all chemistry.

Printable Resources

More Science Worksheets