Early chemists believed matter was made of four elements - air, earth, fire and water. Later, it was discovered that all matter is composed of atoms, which contain protons, neutrons and electrons. Atoms of the same element have the same number of protons but can differ in neutrons, forming isotopes. Chemical bonds form when atoms gain, lose or share electrons to achieve stable electron configurations, resulting in ionic bonds between oppositely charged ions, or covalent bonds where atoms share electrons. Chemical reactions occur when bonds are formed or broken.