what are the simplest substances?
The simplest substances are often referred to as primary elements or chemical elements. These are the building blocks of matter and cannot be broken down into simpler substances through chemical means. There are 118 known elements, and each element is characterized by a unique number of protons in its nucleus.
To determine the simplest substances, you can consult the periodic table of elements. The table provides a comprehensive list of all known elements, organized based on their atomic number (number of protons). The first two elements, hydrogen (H) and helium (He), are considered the simplest substances as they consist of just one and two protons respectively.
You can easily access the periodic table either through a physical copy or by searching for it online. It's a handy tool for identifying the simplest substances and gaining a better understanding of the composition of matter.