Learn about the Periodic Table and the Elements

By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., About.com Guide

Learn about the periodic table and the chemical elements. You'll find facts for the elements, periodic tables and information about how the elements are organized in the periodic table, element quizzes, and properties of element groups.

Periodic Table of the Elements
Element Facts
Element Groups
Element & Periodic Table Quizzes
Element Lists & Tables

Element Group Photo Galleries
Specific Element Quizzes
10 Element Facts
Element Videos

Periodic Table of the Elements

The chemical elements are arranged in the periodic table according to recurring trends in their properties. You can use this arrangement to make predictions about the elements based on where they are found in the table.

Element Facts

This neon filled discharge tube displays the element's characteristic reddish-orange emission.

All matter is made of elements and combinations of elements. If you understand the properties of the chemical elements you can predict the ways in which they will react and will be better able to understand why materials behave the way they do.

Element Groups

Atoms are the building blocks of matter.

Elements are arranged in the periodic table according to their properties. Elements with common properties are placed into element Groups. Rows of elements in the periodic table are called periods.

Element & Periodic Table Quizzes

Most chemists and other scientists don't really resemble the science-geek stereotype.

Do you think you know everything there is to know about elements in the periodic table or do you want to test your understanding of how elements work? Take an online quiz and see how well you do.

Element Lists & Tables

Bismuth is a crystalline white metal, with a pink tinge.

Sometimes it's easier to use a list or other type of table to collect information about the elements than it is to use the periodic table. Here are some element facts and figures you may

Element Group Photo Galleries

This is a flask of elemental iodine vapor. Iodine is a halogen.

View the pure elements according to their element groups and learn about their common properties. In many cases, photos of multiple phases and allotropes of the elements are available.

Specific Element Quizzes

This is a photograph of various forms of high-purity elemental iron.

Test your knowledge about the individual elements. Each multiple choice quiz is ten questions long and covers one specific element.

10 Element Facts

Get facts for specific elements on the periodic table.

Sometimes what you need are some quick facts about an element. How about 10 element facts? These are just right for a report or just getting up to speed on the basic info about a specific element.

Element Videos

These videos summarize key facts about specific elements. Learn what the elements are used for, where they come from, interesting trivia about the elements, and more.

Chemistry