The periodic table is a chart that organizes all known chemical elements based on their properties. Elements like oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen are fundamental to life and are present in everything from air to water to organic compounds. These elements play essential roles in biological processes and chemical reactions.
In addition to these common elements, the periodic table also includes metals, nonmetals, and metalloids, which are used in industries ranging from technology to medicine. Understanding these elements and their interactions is crucial for chemistry, physics, and environmental science.