Elements
![Beakers in front of the periodic table.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uusfi2Z7jEj7gpWvCUxMhK-320-80.jpg)
It is said that we are all made of stardust, but stardust itself is formed from the very elements that are the building blocks of everything around us. From the fundamental elements such as oxygen and carbon — the most common elements in the human body — to elusive radioactive elements like francium, researchers are piecing together the secrets of the periodic table.
So whether it's a story on stars covered in unusual elements or a list of important elements you've never heard of, our expert writers and editors always have engaging news, features and articles about elements for you to read.
Latest about Elements
![An artisan applies a gold leaf to wood by using the "guazzo" technique, burnishing the gold leaf with an agate, in a workshop of Florence.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/E8eB8bMrmTTNWVetxBYeM7-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/E8eB8bMrmTTNWVetxBYeM7-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/E8eB8bMrmTTNWVetxBYeM7-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/E8eB8bMrmTTNWVetxBYeM7-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/E8eB8bMrmTTNWVetxBYeM7-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/E8eB8bMrmTTNWVetxBYeM7-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/E8eB8bMrmTTNWVetxBYeM7-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/E8eB8bMrmTTNWVetxBYeM7-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Why is gold so soft?
By Charles Q. Choi published
Gold is the most malleable element, but what's the science behind it?
![Uranium nitrate called uranyl, with uranium ore, radioactive material on isolated white background_RHJ via Getty Images](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rJpWHmKSCCdxTGEr6r2zbQ-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rJpWHmKSCCdxTGEr6r2zbQ-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rJpWHmKSCCdxTGEr6r2zbQ-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rJpWHmKSCCdxTGEr6r2zbQ-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rJpWHmKSCCdxTGEr6r2zbQ-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rJpWHmKSCCdxTGEr6r2zbQ-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rJpWHmKSCCdxTGEr6r2zbQ-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rJpWHmKSCCdxTGEr6r2zbQ-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Scientists discover 1st 'neutron-rich' isotope of uranium since 1979
By Robert Lea published
Scientists have synthesized a previously unknown isotope of uranium, uranium-241, that may start to disappear after just 40 minutes.
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/F9qpT3oDPY35ZPwgBWrSaM-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/F9qpT3oDPY35ZPwgBWrSaM-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/F9qpT3oDPY35ZPwgBWrSaM-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/F9qpT3oDPY35ZPwgBWrSaM-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/F9qpT3oDPY35ZPwgBWrSaM-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/F9qpT3oDPY35ZPwgBWrSaM-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/F9qpT3oDPY35ZPwgBWrSaM-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/F9qpT3oDPY35ZPwgBWrSaM-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Elemental Shift: Periodic Table Gets Weight Changes
By Charles Q. Choi last updated
Ten elements that help make up the universe, including carbon, are getting their very atomic weights altered.
![food sources that are high in zinc](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QY3PsyahozaAxX36mMsNP8-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QY3PsyahozaAxX36mMsNP8-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QY3PsyahozaAxX36mMsNP8-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QY3PsyahozaAxX36mMsNP8-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QY3PsyahozaAxX36mMsNP8-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QY3PsyahozaAxX36mMsNP8-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QY3PsyahozaAxX36mMsNP8-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QY3PsyahozaAxX36mMsNP8-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Zinc: Benefits, sources & deficiency
By Anna Gora published
From immunity to skin health, we need zinc for a variety of bodily functions. Here are the best sources, as well as signs of deficiency
![Natural native copper isolated on white background. VvoeVale via Getty Images](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dTdiJDBQgDsvbPpxDYjHTh-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dTdiJDBQgDsvbPpxDYjHTh-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dTdiJDBQgDsvbPpxDYjHTh-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dTdiJDBQgDsvbPpxDYjHTh-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dTdiJDBQgDsvbPpxDYjHTh-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dTdiJDBQgDsvbPpxDYjHTh-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dTdiJDBQgDsvbPpxDYjHTh-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dTdiJDBQgDsvbPpxDYjHTh-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Copper: Facts about the reddish metal that has been used by humans for 8,000 years
By Stephanie Pappas published
Reference Here's a look at the element copper, including its atomic structure, history and uses today.
![Uranium nitrate called uranyl, with uranium ore, radioactive material on isolated white background_RHJ via Getty Images](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rJpWHmKSCCdxTGEr6r2zbQ-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rJpWHmKSCCdxTGEr6r2zbQ-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rJpWHmKSCCdxTGEr6r2zbQ-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rJpWHmKSCCdxTGEr6r2zbQ-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rJpWHmKSCCdxTGEr6r2zbQ-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rJpWHmKSCCdxTGEr6r2zbQ-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rJpWHmKSCCdxTGEr6r2zbQ-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rJpWHmKSCCdxTGEr6r2zbQ-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Uranium: Facts about the radioactive element that powers nuclear reactors and bombs
By Stephanie Pappas published
Reference Uranium is a naturally radioactive element. It powers nuclear reactors and atomic bombs.
![A gold nugget](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gwavbWSqZFoTpZpdqMGQU6-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gwavbWSqZFoTpZpdqMGQU6-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gwavbWSqZFoTpZpdqMGQU6-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gwavbWSqZFoTpZpdqMGQU6-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gwavbWSqZFoTpZpdqMGQU6-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gwavbWSqZFoTpZpdqMGQU6-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gwavbWSqZFoTpZpdqMGQU6-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gwavbWSqZFoTpZpdqMGQU6-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Gold: Facts, history and uses of the most malleable chemical element
By Stephanie Pappas published
Here's a look at the chemical element gold, including its properties, atomic structure and history.
![Periodic Table of Elements.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JXnK7F5CpiPpU64rLa8tUM-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JXnK7F5CpiPpU64rLa8tUM-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JXnK7F5CpiPpU64rLa8tUM-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JXnK7F5CpiPpU64rLa8tUM-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JXnK7F5CpiPpU64rLa8tUM-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JXnK7F5CpiPpU64rLa8tUM-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JXnK7F5CpiPpU64rLa8tUM-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JXnK7F5CpiPpU64rLa8tUM-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Periodic Table of Elements
By Tim Sharp, Jeanna Bryner published
The Periodic Table, first created by Dmitri Mendeleev, organizes all of the known elements in an informative array.
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