Periodic Table Explained: 118 Elements, Metals, Symbols & Amazing Facts You Didn’t Know!
The periodic table of elements is not just a scientific chart — it's the ultimate roadmap to understanding everything in the universe, from the air we breathe to the smartphones we use. Whether you're a student, teacher, scientist, or simply curious, this guide explores everything about the element periodic table, including elements with names and symbols, atomic mass, metals, and more.
🧪 What is the Periodic Table of Elements?
The element periodic table definition is simple:
It's a tabular arrangement of all known chemical elements, organized based on their atomic number, electron configuration, and chemical properties.
It allows scientists to predict how elements will behave, discover new ones, and understand the nature of matter itself. That’s why the periodic table is important — It transforms the wild puzzle of chemistry into a beautifully organized masterpiece.
📚 How Many Periodic Tables of Elements Are There?
There is one modern periodic table accepted globally, regularly updated by IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry). But historically, multiple versions of elements periodic tables (old ones) existed — like Mendeleev’s periodic table, which originally had only 63 elements. Today, we have 118 elements in the periodic table, each unique and fascinating.
➡️ So, how many elements in the periodic table now?
✅ Answer: 118 confirmed elements as of 2025.
➡️ History of classification of elements:
- Prout’s Hypothesis – 1815
- Dobereiner’s Triads – 1829
- Newland’s Law of Octaves – 1863
- Lother Meyer Curves – 1869
- Mendeleev’s Periodic Table – 1869
- Modern Periodic Laws of Moseley -1913
- Modern Periodic Table (of 18 columns)
🧠 Periodic Table Facts You Should Know
- The first element is Hydrogen (H), atomic number 1.
- The heaviest element is Oganesson (Og), atomic number 118.
- Elements periodic table with atomic mass helps identify the mass of each atom — essential for calculations and chemical reactions.
- Cu (Copper) is a shiny, reddish-brown metal, symbolized by Cu, atomic number 29 — one of the oldest elements used by humans.
For more curious minds, my book "Interesting Facts About All Elements of the Periodic Table" dives deep into every element’s discovery, uses, properties, and surprising stories.
🔍 How Many Groups on the Periodic Table?
The modern periodic table is divided into:
- 18 vertical columns called groups
- 7 horizontal rows called periods
Each group shares similar chemical behavior. For example, Group 1 has highly reactive alkali metals, while Group 18 contains noble gases like Helium and Neon.
🔧 Elements on the Periodic Table That Are Metals
Out of 118 elements, around 91 elements are metals. These include:
- Alkali metals (e.g., Sodium, Potassium)
- Alkaline earth metals (e.g., Calcium, Magnesium)
- Transition metals (e.g., Iron, Copper, Zinc)
- Post-transition metals (e.g., Tin, Lead)
- Lanthanides and Actinides
🤔 Where on the Periodic Table Are Metals Found?
✅ Mostly on the left and center of the table.
📄 Elements Periodic Table With Names and Symbols
Each element has:
- A name (e.g., Oxygen)
- A symbol (e.g., O)
- An atomic number (e.g., 8)
- An atomic mass (e.g., ~15.999 u)
These are standardized globally. For a beautifully designed element periodic table with atomic mass and symbols, download the element periodic table PDF available in our telegram channel "Chemistry Notes Info".
📘 Why Is It Called the Periodic Table?
The name comes from the “periodic” repetition of chemical properties. Elements in the same group behave similarly because of similar electron arrangements. That’s the genius of why the periodic table is made — it reveals patterns that simplify the study of chemistry.
📄 Elements in Periodic Table PDF — Get Yours Now!
Looking for a classroom or study-friendly version? You can download a high-quality periodic table PDF showing all 118 elements with atomic mass, names, and symbols — ideal for schools, colleges, and competitive exams.
- 📥 Download Periodic Table PDF – ChemistryNotesInfo.com
- IUPAC - Periodic Table Book PDF
- Download IUPAC Periodic Table Books PDF
- Download IUPAC Periodic Table PDF
- Download printable images & PDFs of the Periodic Table - Atomic Mass, Standard State, Chemical Group Block, Electronic Configuration, Oxidation States, Electronegativity, Atomic Radius, Ionization Energy, Electron Affinity, Melting Point, Boiling Point, Year Discovered, Name and Symbol
🧠 Test Yourself: Element Periodic Table Quiz
Want to challenge your knowledge? Try this quick GK quiz:
Q: Which element is liquid at room temperature — Bromine (Br), Sodium (Na), Helium (He), or Phosphorus (P)?
👉 Answer: Bromine (Br)
Explanation: It’s one of only two elements that are liquids at room temperature, the other being Mercury (Hg).
More such interesting quizzes are available in the "Element Periodic Table Quiz" section of this website. So click on below link to solve the MCQs quiz now-
📝 Elements on the Periodic Table Notes – Made Easy
Studying for exams or need revision notes? Here's a simple strategy:
- Group 1–2: Highly reactive metals
- Group 3–12: Transition metals
- Group 13–16: Mixed properties
- Group 17: Halogens – very reactive non-metals
- Group 18: Noble gases – inert and stable
These elements on the periodic table notes help categorize and memorize properties easily. To get learn and get these notes visit school and college section of this website.
- Level-1 : Periodic Table of Elements
- Level-2 : Periodic Classification of Elements
- Level-3 : Classification of elements and periodicity in properties & The s -block elements & The p -block elements
- Level-4 : d-and f-block elements & p-block elements
- Level-5 : Chemistry of Elements of First Transition Series
🔥 30 Amazing Periodic Table Facts
- Gallium melts in your hand — literally.
- Oxygen was discovered in 1774 — after people were already breathing it for thousands of years.
- Helium was discovered on the Sun before Earth.
- Gold is edible in tiny amounts — it’s used on luxury desserts.
- A single gram of francium would vaporize instantly due to its radioactivity.
- Mercury is the only metal that's liquid at room temperature.
- Neon signs don’t always contain neon — they use other gases for different colors.
- Tin cries when bent — it makes a screeching sound!
- Silicon powers both computers and sandcastles.
- Your body contains about 0.2 mg of gold.
- Caffeine’s stimulant effect comes from nitrogen atoms — also in the periodic table!
- Copper kills bacteria on contact — it’s naturally antimicrobial.
- Lead used to be in paint, pipes, and even gasoline!
- The word 'iron' comes from the Anglo-Saxon 'iren'.
- Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe.
- Platinum is rarer than gold — but less shiny to the eye.
- Lithium is used to treat bipolar disorder and is also in batteries.
- Uranium can power cities — or destroy them.
- Aluminum was once more precious than gold.
- Einsteinium is named after Albert Einstein.
- Astatine is so rare, there’s less than 1 gram in Earth’s crust.
- Carbon is the basis of life and diamonds.
- Iodine is purple when it sublimates!
- Bismuth forms rainbow-colored crystals.
- Zinc is vital for your immune system.
- Bromine stinks — it smells like bleach and rotten eggs.
- Radon is radioactive and can seep into basements.
- Oganesson is the heaviest element, but barely exists for seconds.
- Tantalum doesn’t corrode — even in acid.
- Technetium was the first artificially created element.
- There’s an element (Livermorium) named after a lab — not a person or place.
- You’ve likely never touched pure sodium — it explodes in water.
- Tellurium can make your sweat smell like garlic.
- Rhenium has one of the highest melting points, but you’ve probably never heard of it.
- Mendeleev predicted the existence and properties of elements before they were discovered.
- Some elements in your phone were created in exploding stars.
- The periodic table helped win Nobel Prizes — and even predict superheavy elements.
- Some of the elements are created in labs and exist for only milliseconds.
- The shape of the periodic table itself is still debated by scientists.
- Your DNA contains elements that were forged in supernovae billions of years ago.
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📘 Reference: Interesting Facts About All Elements of the Periodic Table
Want to learn:
- Why Gallium melts in your hand?
- Which element was discovered on the Sun before Earth?
- How Uranium powers cities or bombs?
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🌍 What’s on the Periodic Table?
The periodic table of elements contains:
- Atomic number
- Element name
- Symbol
- Atomic mass
- Group and period
- Classification (metal, non-metal, metalloid)
🧩 Blocks of the Periodic Table
The periodic table is divided into four blocks — s, p, d, and f — based on the type of atomic orbital in which the last electron enters. These blocks help us understand the element's chemical behavior and electronic configuration.
🟦 s-block Elements
- Groups: 1 and 2 (plus Hydrogen and Helium)
- Elements include: Hydrogen (H), Sodium (Na), Calcium (Ca), etc.
- Properties: Highly reactive, soft metals, low ionization energy
- Uses: Important in biological processes and industrial applications
- Last electron enters: s-orbital
🟨 p-block Elements
- Groups: 13 to 18
- Elements include: Carbon (C), Oxygen (O), Nitrogen (N), Chlorine (Cl), etc.
- Properties: Contains metals, nonmetals, and metalloids, diverse chemistry
- Includes: All noble gases and halogens
- Last electron enters: p-orbital
🟧 d-block Elements (Transition Metals)
- Groups: 3 to 12
- Elements include: Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), etc.
- Properties: Form colored compounds, good conductors, variable oxidation states
- Uses: Widely used in construction, electronics, and catalysts
- Last electron enters: d-orbital
🟪 f-block Elements (Inner Transition Metals)
- Series: Lanthanides and Actinides (usually placed separately below the table)
- Elements include: Uranium (U), Neodymium (Nd), Thorium (Th), etc.
- Properties: Rare earth metals, radioactive (actinides), high magnetic properties (lanthanides)
- Uses: In nuclear power, magnets, and lasers
- Last electron enters: f-orbital
✅ Summary: Everything You Need to Know
Question | Answer |
---|---|
How many elements in the periodic table? | 118 |
How many groups on the periodic table? | 18 |
How many metals on the periodic table? | About 91 |
Why periodic table is important? | It organizes all known elements based on properties |
Where on the periodic table are metals found? | Mostly left and center |
How many elements in Mendeleev's periodic table? | 63 |
Why is it called the periodic table? | Because of the periodic repetition of properties |
Why was the periodic table made? | To systematize elements and predict behaviors |
📎 Final Thoughts about Periodic Table of Elements
The periodic table is more than a chart — it’s the heart of chemistry. Whether you're revising for an exam or simply intrigued by the elements, this guide helps you explore every aspect. And for the most fascinating facts, download the element periodic table PDF, attempt a quiz, or grab your copy of “Interesting Facts About All Elements of the Periodic Table” from given below book stores:
Amazon.in Book Store | Notion Press Store | Flipkart Book Store | Amazon.com Book Store
🔗 For more updates, free science notes, and quizzes, visit ChemistryNotesInfo.com