Periodic Devotions

The Table

A Quick Tour of The Periodic Table of the Elements

Periods
  • The rows of the Periodic Table are called periods.
  • Run from left to right.
  • Have same number of electron shells in their atoms.
Quick Facts
  • Every element has its own box and is color coded to determine the category the it falls into.
  • Every element has its own unique symbol. The first letter is always capitalized. If there is a second letter it is always lowercase.
  • Every element has an atomic number which is equal to the number of protons in the nucleus.
  • Every element has an atomic mass which is equal to the weighted average of all the isotopes of the element.
Groups
  • The columns of the Periodic Table are called groups.
  • Run from top to bottom
  • Have same number of electrons in outermost shell
  • Often behave similarly