An element is a substance that cannot be broken down into simpler things. Elements are the building blocks of everything in the Universe.

You probably know of some common elements, such as oxygen and hydrogen (that combine to make water, for example) and iron or calcium or sulphur. There are many more that you may not have heard of because they are uncommon. New elements are still being found, but these new elements are extremely rare in nature.

Chemistry is the science of understanding elements and how they can be combined into new materials.