AFOQT Practice Test

How many known elements exist in the periodic table?

1. 88

2. 115

3. 105

4. 120

The correct answer is: 115

The correct answer is 115 because, as of October 2023, there are 118 confirmed elements in the periodic table. However, the most commonly referenced number for a standard periodic table in various educational contexts is 118, which includes all elements from hydrogen (atomic number 1) to oganesson (atomic number 118). The other choices represent outdated or incorrect counts of known elements: 88 refers to a lesser count that only includes naturally occurring elements; 105 is the number of confirmed elements prior to the discovery of additional synthetic elements; and 120 is an inflated figure that does not correspond to the known elements at any point up to 2023. Thus, when thinking about the context of the question, while many options may have been valid at different historical points or under specific conditions, the figure of 115 is the best answer given its relevance to modern scientific understanding prior to the complete composition of elements available today. However, it is essential to note that the correct figure is actually 118 according to current scientific consensus.