Period FAQs

how to read periodic table of elements

by Lucile Rohan Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
image

On the periodic table, elements are listed in order of increasing atomic number.
  1. Elements in the same row are in the same period. ...
  2. Elements in the same column are in the same group. ...
  3. Here's a close-up look at the carbon square from the Periodic Table.

Full Answer

How many elements are listed in periodic table?

How Many Elements Are There?

  • There are 118 elements on periodic table
  • The number of protons in an element gives the atomic number of the element
  • In 2016 four more elements were added into the periodic table

What are some of the elements from the periodic table?

There are eleven elements represented in the periodic table by letters not in line with their names:

  • Sodium (Na – Natrium)
  • Potassium (K – Kalium)
  • Iron (Fe – Ferrum)
  • Copper (Cu – Cuprum)
  • Silver (Ag – Argentum)
  • Tin (Sn – Stannum)
  • Antimony (Sb – Stibium)
  • Tungsten (W – Wolfram)
  • Gold (Au – Aurum)
  • Mercury (Hg – Hydrargyrum)

More items...

What can we learn about elements from the periodic table?

The periodic table has the following fundamental attributes. There are seven rows or periods. These elements share physical properties, such as malleability and conductivity. Two rows of elements from the atomic number 57 to 71 (lanthanides) and 89 to 103 (actinides) are usually grouped below the main table. There are 18 columns or groups.

How are elements put in order in the periodic table?

  • The groups are not divided into sub-groups.
  • The elements present in a group have the same number of valence electrons and valency.
  • The number of shells increases as we go down the group.
  • The elements present in a group have identical chemical properties and their physical properties like density, melting point vary gradually.

More items...

image

How do you read the periodic table?

When you're reading the periodic table, move across the table from top left to bottom right. As you move across the table, the number of protons and the atomic mass of each element increases. Each element has its own atomic number, which represents the number of protons in one atom of the element.

How do you read the periodic table for dummies?

0:073:07The Periodic Table Explained - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFirst the letters are symbols. Each box represents an element each element is made up of the sameMoreFirst the letters are symbols. Each box represents an element each element is made up of the same kind of atom with a specific number of protons in its nucleus.

What is the easiest way to memorize the periodic table of elements?

1. Repetition - How to Memorize the Periodic Table SlowlyMemorize chunks of five elements at a time. You'll have 23 separate groups of five to learn, with a few left over. ... Recite the element names out loud. ... Space out your learning sessions. ... Aim to overlearn.

How do you read the numbers on an element?

The atomic number is the number of protons an element has. The atomic number increases by one as we move one element to the right. That is to say, if an element has an atomic number of 25, the element directly on its right will have the atomic number 26.

How do you read groups and periods on a periodic table?

Groups and periods are two ways of categorizing elements in the periodic table. Periods are horizontal rows (across) the periodic table, while groups are vertical columns (down) the table. Atomic number increases as you move down a group or across a period.

What are the 7 families of the periodic table?

Families of the Periodic Table. On the periodic table, there are families which are groups of elements with similar properties. These families are alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, transition metals, post-transition metals, metalloids, halogens, noble metals, and noble gases.

How can I memorize faster?

Simple memory tips and tricksTry to understand the information first. Information that is organized and makes sense to you is easier to memorize. ... Link it. ... Sleep on it. ... Self-test. ... Use distributed practice. ... Write it out. ... Create meaningful groups. ... Use mnemonics.More items...

Is memorizing periodic table important?

Memorizing the periodic table is important because it is organized and gives a lot of information about elements. Also, it makes students understand how elements relate to one another. It is used to predict the properties of every element.

What is the best way to memorize?

Study tips: Top 5 memorization techniquesAssign meaningfulness to things. ... Learn general and specific later. ... Recite out loud in your own words until you don't need to refer to your notes.Teach someone else. ... Use memory devices.

How do you read atomic symbols?

The symbol for an atom indicates the element via its usual two-letter symbol, the mass number as a left superscript, the atomic number as a left subscript (sometimes omitted), and the charge as a right superscript.

What does the top number in the periodic table mean?

The number on the very top is called the atomic number and it represents the number of protons in a single atom of the element. For the element helium (shown above) the atomic number is two. The letters in each block represent the atomic symbol. This is essentially an abbreviation of the elements name.

What do the period numbers on the periodic table represent?

The horizontal rows on the periodic table are called periods, where each period number indicates the number of orbitals for the elements in that row, according to Los Alamos National Laboratory (opens in new tab).

How do you read atomic symbols?

The symbol for an atom indicates the element via its usual two-letter symbol, the mass number as a left superscript, the atomic number as a left subscript (sometimes omitted), and the charge as a right superscript.

How do you read protons and neutrons on the periodic table?

The atomic number (number at the top) is the amount of protons and the amount of electrons. So if an element has an atomic number of 5, you know that it has 5 protons and 5 electrons. The atomic mass (number at the bottom) is the amount of protons and neutrons added together.

What do the period numbers on the periodic table represent?

The horizontal rows on the periodic table are called periods, where each period number indicates the number of orbitals for the elements in that row, according to Los Alamos National Laboratory (opens in new tab).

What does the atomic number tell you?

The atomic number is the number of protons in an atom, and isotopes have the same atomic number but differ in the number of neutrons.

What order are elements listed on the periodic table?

On the periodic table, elements are listed in order of increasing atomic number.

How to keep track of elements?

To keep track of the elements, scientists use the Periodic Table, a chart that shows all the elements. ( Click here for a pdf version of the Periodic Table.) Scientists can quickly find out basic information about an element just by looking at the Periodic Table.

What is the atomic number of an atom?

Atomic Number: the number of protons in the nucleus (which is the same as the number of electrons in the atom).

What does it mean when elements are in the same column?

Elements in the same column are in the same group. This means they react with other elements in similar ways.

What is an element in the periodic table?

Vocabulary. Elements: A pure substance composed of a single atom. Groups: The vertical column of the periodic table that signifies the number of valence electrons in an element. Periods: The horizontal rows in the periodic table that signify the number of electron shells in an element. Families: Elements that have the same number ...

How are elements organized in the periodic table?

The periodic table is organized into groups (vertical columns), periods (horizontal rows), and families (groups of elements that are similar). Elements in the same group have the same number of valence electrons. Meanwhile, elements in the same period have the same number of occupied electron shells. In 1869 Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev noticed there existed an innate pattern of organization for the chemical elements. From this deduction, he formed the periodic table. It is important to note how the location of elements on this table tells us about their properties. A quick way to understand an element’s chemical and physical properties is to know the periodic trends. These trends tell you where the highest and lowest types of properties are concentrated on the periodic table. For a more in-depth explanation of periodic trends, click here.

Why are valence electrons important?

The reason for this is that the valence electrons, which are the electrons in the outermost shell, are the ones taking part in chemical reactions. These electrons are either donating, accepting, or sharing. Moreover, the more filled the valence shell is, the more stable the element.

What are noble gases?

The noble gases, also called aerogens, are inert gases. Some examples include argon, krypton, and neon. They can be found in group eighteen on the periodic table. Likewise, this means they have a complete valence shell. For this reason, they are stable and relatively unreactive.

What is the name of the group of elements that are found in the three states of matter at standard temperature?

The name halogen means “salt formers” in greek. This is evident in nature as halogens interact with metals to form various salts. On another note, the halogens are a unique group of elements. They are the only periodic family that contains elements in the three states of matter at standard temperature. There are 6 halogens and they are located in group 17. These elements include fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), iodine (I), and astatine (At). They are highly reactive, highly electronegative, and highly toxic non-metals.

Which metals are the second most reactive?

The alkaline earth metals are the second most reactive family on the periodic table (following behind the alkali metals). Moreover, they are strong reducing agents which means they donate electrons in chemical reactions. They are also good thermal and electrical conductors.

How many periods are there in the periodic table?

Periods are the horizontal rows of the periodic table. There are seven periods total and each element in a period has the same number of atomic orbitals. The top period, which contains hydrogen and helium, has only two orbitals. As you go down the rows, the number of orbitals increases.

What is the periodic table?

Periodic Table An arrangement of the elements by their properties and their atomic number. Element A substance that cannot be divided into simpler substances by chemical means. Symbol A one- or two-letter abbreviation used to represent an element. The first letter is capitalized. Any second letter is always lower case.

Where is the atomic number of an element?

The atomic number of the element is represented by the number in the upper right-hand corner of the entry. This number represents the number of protons in the nucleus of the atom which determines the element. For this example, the atomic number is 12.

What is an element?

Element A substance that cannot be divided into simpler substances by chemical means.

What is the atomic mass of magnesium?

It has an atomic number of 12 and an atomic mass of 24.305 amu.

Our Periodic Table of Elements Content

Here is a snapshot of the periodic table of elements we have created for you.

How to Read a Periodic Table of Elements

A periodic table of elements places and groups the elements which existence we have identified based on their nature. You may notice some gaps that the periodic table of elements has in the middle. That is because we place the transition metals group there which nature is quite different from other elements.

Elements Grouping and Classification in a Periodic Table of Elements

As you can see in one of our periodic table of elements legend, the table divides the elements into ten groups. They are the alkali metals, alkali earth metals, transition metals, post-transition metals, metalloids, nonmetals, halogens, noble gases, lanthanides, and actinides.

How to Create the Table in Excel

Want to learn how to create a periodic table of elements in excel? It is very simple and you should be able to do it if you have mastered the basic functions in excel!

How to Modify this Table in Its Excel Template

Want to modify the display of our periodic table of elements in its excel file? You should be able to do most things we did to create the table beforehand!

Additional Note

To retrieve the information about an element from our periodic table in excel, you can use the HLOOKUP or INDEX MATCH. You may want to create a separate table first though that contains all the elements information you need. This is so you can retrieve the information you need later much easier.

What is periodic table?

1. A copy of the Periodic Table of Elements with a color coordinated legend. 2. You will need a computer with internet access if you do not own a copy. 3.

Why are elements in the periodic table arranged in vertical groups?

These are known as groups. The elements are arranged in these vertical groups because they share similar properties with each other.

What does the atomic number represent?

The number on the very top is called the atomic number and it represents the number of protons in a single atom of the element. For the element helium (shown above) the atomic number is two. The letters in each block represent the atomic symbol. This is essentially an abbreviation of the ...

Which element has the first atomic number?

Hydrogen (H) is the first element with an atomic number of 1. Beginning with hydrogen in the top left of the table, atomic numbers increase from left to right and top to bottom. However, this ordering is not indicative of the size of the elements. Ask Question.

Which element is the smallest in the atomic radius?

Atomic radius is ordered beginning in the top right of the table with helium (He) being the smallest element. Size increases on the table from right to left and top to bottom with the element in the bottom left of the table (francium of Fr) being the largest of all the elements. Ask Question.

Who created the periodic table?

The creator of the periodic table, Dmitri Mendeleev, in 1869 began collecting and sorting known properties of elements, like he was playing a game, while traveling by train.

What is PubChem working with?

PubChem is working with IUPAC to help make information about the elements and the periodic table machine-readable.

Can periodic table games be used for grade?

The periodic table game available on this page is for entertainment purposes only, and should not be used to grade students on their knowledge of chemical elements.

Did Mendeleev's predictions get dismissed?

There were plenty of skeptics and it took years to gain international acceptance, but once newly-discovered elements matched the ones that Mendeleev predicted, his patterns could not be dismissed. In addition, some of the properties that he "fudged" were later recalculated and found to be much closer to his predictions.

Does the Modern Periodic Table Change? If So, How and Who Does That?

The periodic table as we know it today is managed by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, or IUPAC (eye-you-pack).

image

CORE Concepts

Related Articles

Vocabulary

  1. Elements: A pure substance composed of a single atom.
  2. Groups: The vertical column of the periodic table that signifies the number of valence electrons in an element.
  3. Periods: The horizontal rows in the periodic table that signify the number of electron shells in an element.
  1. Elements: A pure substance composed of a single atom.
  2. Groups: The vertical column of the periodic table that signifies the number of valence electrons in an element.
  3. Periods: The horizontal rows in the periodic table that signify the number of electron shells in an element.
  4. Families: Elements that have the same number of valence electrons and therefore similar properties.

The Periodic Table and The Periodic Trends

  • The periodic table is organized into groups (vertical columns), periods (horizontal rows), and families (groups of elements that are similar). Elements in the same group have the same number of valence electrons. Meanwhile, elements in the same period have the same number of occupied electron shells. In 1869 Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev noticed...
See more on chemistrytalk.org

Periods on The Periodic Table

  • So what is a period on the periodic table? Periods are the horizontal rows of the periodic table. There are seven periods total and each element in a period has the same number of atomic orbitals. The top period, which contains hydrogen and helium, has only two orbitals. As you go down the rows, the number of orbitals increases. Below is a table to help visuals the periodic nu…
See more on chemistrytalk.org

Groups of The Periodic Table

  • As previously mentioned, the vertical columns on the periodic table are called “groups”. There is eighteen groups on the periodic table in total, and each periodic table group contains elements with the same number of valence electrons. The number of valence electrons present dictates the properties of an element. The reason for this is that the valence electrons, which are the electro…
See more on chemistrytalk.org

Families of The Periodic Table

  • On the periodic table, there are familieswhich are groups of elements with similar properties. These families are alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, transition metals, post-transition metals, metalloids, halogens, noble metals, and noble gases. Many of these families belong to a single group on the periodic table. However, not all of the families overlap with periodic table groups. F…
See more on chemistrytalk.org

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9