The Periodic Table of the Elements

A tutorial of how to read and understand the Periodic Table.

By: Steve Smith and Josh LesherTo navigate through this tutorial click the left mouse button.

The First Periodic Table

The first periodic table was published in 1872 by man named Dmitri Mendeleev.

Rows and Columns

The Periodic Table consists of 7 rows also known as shells. These sets are horizontal on the table.

The vertical set of elements are known as Columns or groups. There are 18 of these on the table.

Elements on the table

The elements are arranged in increasing order of Atomic Number, which is read from left to right.

The elements are grouped into separate categories on the table.

Elements of the table cont.

Groups 1 & 2 on the table are known as the light metals or alkali metals.

Groups 3-12 on the table are known as the transition metals, this group is indented on the table

Elements on the table cont.

Groups 13-17 are known as the non-metals, with group 17 being the halogens.

Group18 consists of the noble gases.

Elements on the table cont.

Elements 58-71 on the table are known as the lanthanide series or rare earth metals.

Elements 90-103 on the table are known as the actinide series.

Elements 58-103 can be found at the bottom of the periodic table.

Elements: How to read

Sodium 11

Na22.98976928

The bold Na represents the element Sodium.

All elements have an abbreviated symbol.

Elements: How to read

Sodium11Na

22.98976928 The 11 represents the elements

atomic number. The elements are arranged by there

atomic numbers from least to greatest.

Elements: How to read

Sodium11Na

22.98976928 The number at the bottom represents

the atomic mass. The atomic mass is the actual atomic

weight of the element.

Element states of matter

Click here to view an animation of the periodic table

Questions # 1

How many horizontal shells or rows are there on the periodic table?

A)5

B)6

C)7

D)8

Question # 2

How many columns are there on the periodic table?

A)7

B)18

C)20

D)24

Question # 3

Alkali metals could also be called what?

A) Light metals

B) Transition metals

C) Noble gases

D) Elephant

Question # 4

The indented metals on the periodic table are what kind of metals?

A) Light metals

B) Transition metals

C) Noble gases

D) Mr. Wolfe

Question # 5

What group on the periodic table are the noble gases in?

A)15

B)16

C)17

D)18

Question # 6

Sodium

11

Na22.98976928

What does the bold Na represent?

A) Element symbol C) Atomic number

B) Name D) Atomic mass

Question # 7

Sodium

11

Na22.98976928

Which number is the atomic number?

A) 11 C) 69

B) 22.98976928 D) 114

Question # 8

Sodium

11

Na22.98976928

Which number is the atomic mass?

A) 11 C) 420

B) 22.98976928 D) 372

Question 1 Wrong

Sorry try again

Back

Question 1 Right

Correct!

Next Question

Question 2 Wrong

Sorry try again

Back

Question 2 right

Correct!

Next Question

Question 3 wrong

Sorry try again

Back

Question 3 right

Correct!

Next Question

Question 4 wrong

Sorry try again

Back

Question 4 right

Correct!

Next Question

Question 5 wrong

Sorry try again

Back

Question 5 right

Correct!

Next Question

Question 6 wrong

Sorry try again

Back

Question 6 right

Correct!

Next Question

Question 7 wrong

Sorry try again

Back

Question 7 right

Correct!

Next Question

Question 8 wrong

Sorry try again

Back

Question 8 right

Correct!

Next Question

Congratulations

You can now read the periodic table!!!!

Works Cited

http://periodic.lanl.gov/default.htm http://www.webelements.com/