What are the fundamental types of matter that cannot be converted into other forms by ordinary chemical means called?

The fundamental types of matter that cannot be converted into other forms by ordinary chemical means are known as elements. Elements are the basic building blocks of all matter and consist of only one type of atom. Each element has unique properties that distinguish it from others, and it cannot be broken down into simpler substances through chemical reactions.

Understanding elements is crucial in the context of chemistry because they form the basis for compounds and molecules. Compounds are made by chemically combining two or more elements, while molecules are formed when two or more atoms (which can be the same or different) bond together. However, the elements themselves retain their own distinct identities and cannot be transformed into one another through ordinary chemical processes.

Atoms, on the other hand, are the smallest units of an element that maintain the properties of that element, but they do not represent the fundamental types of matter themselves. Therefore, elements serve as the foundational category in the hierarchy of matter, emphasizing their significance in both chemistry and broader scientific understanding.