Question

Elements are pure substances that make up all matter. Gold, aluminum, iron, and lead are some examples of these pure substances. What is the basic building block of all pure substances that make up matter in the world?

Answer 1

sulfur, phosphorous, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, and hydrogen. An easy way to remember this is SPONCH - a nice mnemonic.

Answer 2

Atoms. Elements have a distinct number of protons to identify themselves. For example, I have pure carbon and I want to turn it into oxygen, I could theoretically add 2 more protons to the carbon nucleus and it would become an oxygen atom.