PSI Barbering Practice Exam

How many of the 118 different elements known to science today are naturally occurring on Earth?

1. 108

2. 92

3. 98

4. 100

The correct answer is: 92

The correct answer is 92, which refers to the number of naturally occurring elements found on Earth. These naturally occurring elements range from hydrogen, the lightest, to uranium, which is much heavier. Many elements, like gold, silver, and carbon, are essential for life or are widely used in various applications, including industry and technology. In contrast, there are synthetic elements that have been created in laboratories and do not occur naturally on Earth. These synthetic elements, numbering over 20, fall beyond the 92 naturally occurring elements, indicating that while scientists have identified over 118 total elements, only 92 are found in nature without human intervention. This distinction between naturally occurring and synthetic elements is crucial in various scientific and practical applications, such as chemistry, nuclear physics, and environmental science.