the periodic table consists of 118 known elements, with the most recent additions being nihonium (element 113), moscovium (element 115), tennessine (element 117), and oganesson (element 118), which were officially recognized by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) in 2015.
However, it is important to note that scientific understanding and knowledge evolve over time. While the periodic table represents the currently known elements, there is always the possibility of discovering new elements beyond the ones currently listed. The synthesis of new elements in laboratories is an active area of research, often involving high-energy particle accelerators and nuclear reactions.
It's also worth mentioning that the universe is vast and diverse, and there may be regions or environments that contain elements that have not yet been discovered or characterized. Exploring these possibilities is an ongoing pursuit in the field of science.
Therefore, while the periodic table provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the elements that have been discovered so far, it remains open to further expansion and revision as new discoveries are made.