In general, there is no inherent limit to the number of different atoms that can make up a substance. Substances can be composed of a wide variety of atoms, and the number of possible combinations is virtually limitless.
Atoms are the fundamental building blocks of matter, and they can combine in various ways to form molecules or compounds. Each atom is characterized by its atomic number, which determines its identity (e.g., hydrogen, carbon, oxygen) based on the number of protons in its nucleus.
Different substances can contain a varying number of atoms. For example, simple substances like elemental gases (e.g., hydrogen gas, oxygen gas) consist of two atoms of the same element. Other substances can be more complex, such as water (H2O), which consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
Furthermore, substances can contain multiple elements, resulting in more diverse combinations of atoms. Compounds like carbon dioxide (CO2) and glucose (C6H12O6) illustrate this diversity, with multiple atoms of different elements coming together to form distinct substances.
In nature, the periodic table lists over 100 different elements, each with its unique properties and atomic structures. This provides an extensive array of atoms that can combine in countless ways to form various substances with distinct chemical compositions and properties.
While there is no theoretical limit to the number of different atoms that can make up a substance, it is important to note that the complexity and stability of substances increase as the number of atoms involved grows. Complex substances with a high number of different atoms may be less common or require specific conditions for their formation, but they are not inherently restricted by any fixed limit.