Element FAQs
Do you have questions about the chemical elements? Here are the answers!
What Is a Chemical Element?
Get the definition for a chemical element.
Get the definition for a chemical element.
How Are Elements Named?
Have you ever wondered how the elements are named or why some elements have more than one name? Here's the answer to your question.
Have you ever wondered how the elements are named or why some elements have more than one name? Here's the answer to your question.
How Are New Elements Discovered?
Find out if there are any elements left to be discovered and how they would be found.
Find out if there are any elements left to be discovered and how they would be found.
How Do I Memorize the Order of the Elements?
Here's a handy mnemonic device to help memorize the symbols and sequence of the first nine elements in the periodic table.
Here's a handy mnemonic device to help memorize the symbols and sequence of the first nine elements in the periodic table.
How Does Atomic Number Relate to Atomic Mass?
Higher atomic number doesn't imply higher atomic mass. At least not always! Sometimes one element of lower atomic number can have a higher atomic mass. Learn about the effect of isotopic ratios on atomic mass.
Higher atomic number doesn't imply higher atomic mass. At least not always! Sometimes one element of lower atomic number can have a higher atomic mass. Learn about the effect of isotopic ratios on atomic mass.
What Are the Alchemical Symbols of the Elements?
See the symbols of the elements and learn how alchemists used them.
See the symbols of the elements and learn how alchemists used them.
What Are the Elements in the Human Body?
Do you know the chemical composition of the human body? Here's the list of elements, given in percentage according to weight.
Do you know the chemical composition of the human body? Here's the list of elements, given in percentage according to weight.
What Are the Elements in the Sun?
You probably know the sun consists mainly of hydrogen and helium. Can you name the other elements found in our closest star?
You probably know the sun consists mainly of hydrogen and helium. Can you name the other elements found in our closest star?
What Are the Names and Symbols of the Elements?
It's easier to navigate the periodic table and write chemical equations and formulae once you know the symbols for the elements. Here's an alphabetical list of element symbols with corresponding element names.
It's easier to navigate the periodic table and write chemical equations and formulae once you know the symbols for the elements. Here's an alphabetical list of element symbols with corresponding element names.
What Are the Periodic Properties of Elements?
The properties of the elements exhibit periodicity. Learn how to use the periodic table to predict the trends in atomic radius, ionization energy, electron affinity, and electronegativity.
The properties of the elements exhibit periodicity. Learn how to use the periodic table to predict the trends in atomic radius, ionization energy, electron affinity, and electronegativity.
What Do s, p, d, and f Mean?
s, p, d, and f are orbital names that stand for sharp, principal, diffuse, and fundamental. This summary tells more about orbitals and electronic structure.
s, p, d, and f are orbital names that stand for sharp, principal, diffuse, and fundamental. This summary tells more about orbitals and electronic structure.
What Do the Chemical Elements Look Like?
This is a collection of photographs of the chemical elements. The images are public domain, so you are welcome to download and use them.
This is a collection of photographs of the chemical elements. The images are public domain, so you are welcome to download and use them.
What Do The Elements in the Body Do?
Find out what elements are in the human body and what these elements do.
Find out what elements are in the human body and what these elements do.
What Element Symbols Are No Longer in Use?
This is a list of element symbols and names that are placeholders for final names or else are no longer in use.
This is a list of element symbols and names that are placeholders for final names or else are no longer in use.
What Is an Atom?
Are you confused about atoms, elements, protons, neutrons, electrons, isotopes, and ions? Here's a basic look at the model of the atom. It's a great overview for kids or anyone looking to grasp the essentials of atomic theory.
Are you confused about atoms, elements, protons, neutrons, electrons, isotopes, and ions? Here's a basic look at the model of the atom. It's a great overview for kids or anyone looking to grasp the essentials of atomic theory.
What Is the Most Abundant Element?
The elemental composition of the universe and the earth's crust are very different! How different? Take a look...
The elemental composition of the universe and the earth's crust are very different! How different? Take a look...
Where is the Periodic Table of the Elements?
You can't do chemistry without it! Find element facts and figures and examine trends in groups of elements.
You can't do chemistry without it! Find element facts and figures and examine trends in groups of elements.
Which Elements Are Named for People?
Alphabetical list of the chemical elements named after people.
Alphabetical list of the chemical elements named after people.
Which Elements Are Named for Places?
Alphabetical list of elements in chemistry named for places or element toponyms.
Alphabetical list of elements in chemistry named for places or element toponyms.