As of March 2010, how many elements have been observed?

As of March 2010, a total of 118 elements have been observed and confirmed. This includes all elements from hydrogen, which is the first element on the periodic table, to the heaviest confirmed element at the time, which is copernicium (element 112). Scientists have been working on synthesizing new elements, but up until that point, the confirmed number was 118. This number comprises naturally occurring elements as well as those that have been artificially created in laboratories. Understanding the periodic table and the classification of elements is essential in science, particularly in chemistry and physics, as it provides a systematic way to study and categorize the different types of matter.