Inchemistry, afree element is achemical element that is not combined with orchemically bonded to other elements.[1][2] These may either be chemically inert, or may form bonds with atoms of the same element.
Metals, non-metals, and noble gases can all be found as free elements. Noble gases such ashelium andargon are found in the monoatomic state due to the low reactivity of these atoms. Similarly,noble metals such asgold andplatinum are also found in the pure state naturally. Non-metals are rarely found as free elements in the solid state — carbon is a notable exception, as it may be found asdiamond andgraphite.[3] However, they commonly exist as gases, examples of which includemolecular oxygen,ozone, andnitrogen, which together make up approximately 99% of the atmosphere. Because of their reactivity, the halogens do not naturally occur in the free elemental state, but they are both widespread and abundant in the form of their halide ions. They are, however, stable in their diatomic forms.
