We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Chemistry

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How Many Elements on the Periodic Table of the Elements Occur Naturally?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 21, 2024
Views: 110,283
Share

The answer to the question of how many objects on the periodic table of the elements are naturally occurring is actually a bit complicated. Conventional wisdom says that the first 92 elements, from element 1, hydrogen, to element 92, uranium, are all naturally occurring, but in fact, some of these elements are highly unstable, and have only been observed when they have been created artificially. Some people believe that elements 93 (neptunium) and 94 (plutonium) should also be included on a list of naturally occurring elements. As a result, anywhere between 94 and 88 elements are “naturally occurring,” depending on the definition one is using.

Elements are considered to be “naturally occurring” when they can be found in nature, rather than needing to be created in a laboratory, and many representations of the periodic table of the elements include a dividing line between natural and artificially produced elements. Some naturally occurring elements have very unstable isotopes or short half-lives, so they exist only intermittently and in very small quantities on Earth. Some people believe that when thinking about the periodic table, elements such as these should not really be considered “naturally occurring,” especially since they are only observed as a direct result of human activity. Others argue that, while only small amounts are observable at any given time, they are “natural” because they can occur spontaneously.

The questionable elements are element 43, technetium; element 61, promethium; element 85, astatine; and element 87, francium. Elements 43 and 61 are somewhat unusual, as they are surrounded by stable elements, but they have only been observed in controlled laboratory conditions. Elements 85 and 87 do appear in nature, but only briefly and very rarely, making it tough to pin down an actual natural appearance for these shy elements.

If all four questionable elements are struck from the list of “naturally occurring” elements, there are either 90 or 88 naturally occurring elements, depending on whether or not neptunium and plutonium are included on the list. Some people include astatine and francium as well, raising the total to 92 or 90. The most-commonly cited number is “92,” which could be viewed as the first 92 entries on the periodic table, or the first 94 minus elements 43 and 61, depending on how complicated people feel like being.

It is important for people to remember that, when looking at the periodic table of the elements, “naturally occurring” does not necessarily mean “abundant.” Many naturally occurring elements are in fact quite rare, although some were once more abundant. Levels of elements also change depending on where a person is; helium, for example, is rare on Earth, but abundant around the Sun.

Share
All The Science is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a All The Science researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
By anon996565 — On Sep 13, 2016

Ugh. So I remember in my day there were maybe 108 elements naturally occurring, and today 118 or so. Those added are a tuft as when given pressure with another element they combust/react, etc. What?

My 7 year old asked how many elements are naturally occurring? In this day and age I can't give an answer, as science has changed and they have now included non natural occurring elements!

By anon293015 — On Sep 23, 2012

Naturally occurring elements on earth, and then those in the universe. Hmmm. Thus, perhaps more to be discovered to give us an even 100. I wonder then too how many more elements to be "man-made"? The periodic table, I suppose, will continue to expand, even if for those very short-lived and unstable elements.

By anon258639 — On Apr 02, 2012

This still doesn't tell me why elements 43 and 61 aren't natural and don't follow the rule that states elements past 95 are synthetic?

By bobcat60 — On Jan 26, 2011

@aaaCookie - I was thinking the same thing! We did not even touch on it when studying periodic table history, which is probably where the issue would have popped up. I am sure it is discussed at length in college, but it really seems kind of important to the subject even on a basic level.

By aaaCookie — On Nov 07, 2010

When we studied the periodic table in high school science, the question of natural versus unnatural elements was hardly touched on, though I imagine had I taken high level chemistry it would have been. while I can now at least read the modern periodic table, I had no idea the questions of natural and unnatural, abundant and rare, were so complicated. Considering the importance this holds in modern environmental science, it seems this is something even the average person ought to know far more about.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.allthescience.org/how-many-elements-on-the-periodic-table-of-the-elements-occur-naturally.htm
Copy this link
All The Science, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

All The Science, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.