Free element explained

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 (O) and carbon.^[1] Other examples of free elements include the noble metals gold and platinum.

See also

• Native metal
• Noble metal
• Native element mineral
• Gangue
• Native state

Notes and References

1. A. Earnshaw and Norman Greenwood. Chemistry of the Elements (Second Edition) . 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."