Free element

In chemistry, a free element is a chemical element that is not combined with or chemically bonded to other elements. Examples of elements which can occur as free elements include the oxygen molecule (O2) and carbon.[1] All atoms of free elements have an oxidation number of 0. They hardly ever bond with other atoms. Other examples of free elements include the noble metals gold and platinum.[2]

See also

References
  1. A. Earnshaw and Norman Greenwood. Chemistry of the Elements (Second Edition) ISBN 978-0-7506-3365-9. Mentions "free element" 30 times, for example, "Oxygen is the most abundant element on the earth's surface. It occurs both as a free element and in combination with innumerable compounds." and "Carbon occurs both as a free element and in combined form."
  2. IUPAC, Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. (the "Gold Book") (1997). Online corrected version: (2006–) "Oxidation state". doi:10.1351/goldbook.O04365


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