How many naturally occurring elements are found on Earth?

• A. 118
• B. 100
• C. 80
• D. 92

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that naturally occurring elements are those that can be found in nature on Earth without human synthesis.
2. Recall that the total number of known elements is 118, but many of these are synthetic and created in laboratories.
3. Identify that elements with atomic numbers 1 through 92 are generally considered naturally occurring, as elements beyond 92 are mostly synthetic or very rare and unstable.
4. Recognize that uranium (atomic number 92) is the heaviest naturally occurring element found on Earth in significant quantities.
5. Conclude that the number of naturally occurring elements on Earth is 92.