How many naturally occurring elements are there?

The number of naturally occurring elements that are recognized in modern chemistry is 92. These elements are those that can be found in nature, typically in various forms, such as gases, solids, and minerals. Among these naturally occurring elements, some are stable, while others are radioactive and have short half-lives, meaning they decay into other elements over time.

The periodic table lists elements based on their atomic number, which reflects the number of protons in each element's nucleus. The first 92 elements, from hydrogen (atomic number 1) to uranium (atomic number 92), are confirmed to occur in nature. Elements beyond uranium, starting from 93 (neptunium) onwards, are all synthetic and have been created in laboratories, often through nuclear reactions.

Understanding the distinction between naturally occurring and synthetic elements is important, as it informs the foundational knowledge in chemistry and biology, revealing how Earth’s elements contribute to natural processes and the formation of compounds that are essential for life.