Explore the Differences Between Elements and Compounds

Did you know that about 96% of the human body is made up of just four elements?

A substance made from only one type of atom is called an element. Elements are listed on the periodic table. There are 118 different elements found on the periodic table. The periodic table lists all the known elements and groups together those with similar properties. Most elements are metals, but some are non-metals too. 

The four elements that make up most of the human body are oxygen, carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen. A few more extra elements are needed in smaller amounts. Oxygen alone makes up more than half the mass of your entire body! We need all of these elements for our bodies to work. These elements are often combined together to make important chemical compounds that our bodies need like sugars.

A compound is a substance that is made from more than one type of atom - it is made from two or more different elements chemically bonded together. Some examples of compounds are water, ethanol and carbon dioxide. 

Let's take a look at some of the elements that play such a big role in our bodies, and how they can combine to make useful compounds we need too.