In order to understand the chemistry of natural gas, it is important to be familiar with some basic concepts of general chemistry. Here are some definitions you should know: Matter – anything that has mass and occupies space. Energy – the capacity to do work or transfer heat. Elements – substances that cannot be decomposed into simpler substances by chemical changes. There are approximately 112 known elements. Examples: carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen. Atom – the smallest unit in which an element can exist. Atoms are composed of electrons, protons, and neutrons. Compounds – pure substances consisting of two or more different elements in a fixed ratio. Examples: water and methane.