📖 About This Periodic Table
The periodic table of elements is the foundational reference tool of chemistry.
It arranges all known chemical elements by atomic number (the number of protons in the nucleus),
electron configuration, and recurring chemical properties.
This interactive version includes all 118 recognized elements — from Hydrogen (H, #1) to Oganesson (Og, #118).
Click any element to view its detailed information, including atomic mass, category, period, group,
electron configuration, and more. Use the search bar or category filter to find elements quickly.
🔬 What Each Element Tile Shows
- Atomic Number — number of protons (top-left of tile)
- Symbol — 1- or 2-letter abbreviation (e.g., H, He, Li)
- Name — full element name
- Atomic Mass — average atomic mass in unified atomic mass units (u)
- Category Color — indicates the element's chemical family
📝 Example: Understanding an Element
Example: Carbon (C, #6)
Atomic Number: 6
Symbol: C
Name: Carbon
Atomic Mass: 12.011 u
Category: Nonmetal (Reactive)
Period: 2
Group: 14
Electron Configuration: [He] 2s² 2p²
Carbon is the basis of all known organic life and forms more compounds than any other element.
🧪 Element Categories Explained
- Alkali Metals (Group 1): Highly reactive, soft metals (Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr)
- Alkaline Earth Metals (Group 2): Reactive metals (Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra)
- Transition Metals (Groups 3–12): Hard, dense, good conductors (Fe, Cu, Au, Ag)
- Post-transition Metals: Softer metals (Al, Ga, In, Sn, Pb, Bi)
- Metalloids: Properties between metals and nonmetals (B, Si, Ge, As, Sb, Te)
- Nonmetals: Poor conductors (H, C, N, O, P, S, Se)
- Halogens (Group 17): Highly reactive nonmetals (F, Cl, Br, I, At)
- Noble Gases (Group 18): Inert, unreactive gases (He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe, Rn)
- Lanthanides: Rare earth elements (La–Lu)
- Actinides: Radioactive elements (Ac–Lr)
💡 Uses of the Periodic Table
- Education: Students learning chemistry and physics
- Research: Scientists predicting element behavior and reactions
- Industry: Material science, pharmaceuticals, metallurgy
- Reference: Quick lookup of atomic properties and electron configurations
⚠️ Limitations & Assumptions
📌 Important Notes
- Atomic masses are standard atomic weights as recommended by IUPAC (2021).
- For radioactive elements, atomic mass refers to the most stable isotope.
- Some superheavy elements (Z ≥ 104) have only been produced synthetically and have short half-lives.
- Electron configurations are written using the noble gas shorthand for brevity.
- This table is for educational and reference use — always verify critical data with IUPAC or NIST.
📚 References & Sources
Authoritative Sources
- IUPAC — Periodic Table of Elements (Official)
- NIST — Atomic Weights and Isotopic Compositions
- Royal Society of Chemistry — Periodic Table
- Los Alamos National Laboratory — Periodic Table of Elements
- CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (latest edition)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the periodic table?
The periodic table is a tabular arrangement of chemical elements organized by atomic number,
electron configuration, and recurring chemical properties. It was first published by Dmitri Mendeleev in 1869.
How many elements are in the periodic table?
As of 2024, there are 118 confirmed elements. Elements 1–94 occur naturally on Earth (though some only in trace amounts);
elements 95–118 have been synthesized in laboratories.
Why are some elements colored differently?
Color indicates the element's chemical category — such as alkali metals, noble gases, or halogens.
Elements in the same category share similar chemical behaviors.
What is the atomic number?
The atomic number is the number of protons in an atom's nucleus. It uniquely identifies each element
and determines its position in the periodic table.
What is the difference between atomic mass and atomic weight?
Atomic mass is the mass of a single atom (in u). Atomic weight (or standard atomic weight)
is the weighted average of all naturally occurring isotopes of that element. In most contexts, they are used interchangeably.
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⚠️ Disclaimer
This Periodic Table is provided for educational and reference purposes only.
Element data has been compiled from authoritative sources (IUPAC, NIST), but may not reflect the very latest research.
Always verify critical chemical data with primary sources before using it in professional, academic, or industrial work.
Online Calculator Zone is not responsible for any decisions made based on this reference material.