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Get the facts about the elements, including properties of individual elements (click on its symbol in the periodic table), trends in the periodic table, chemistry of periods and groups, valences, and more.
Alphabetical List of Elements
Here's a list of the elements, in alphabetical order according to their IUPAC names.
What Is a Chemical Element?
Get the definition for a chemical element.
Element Photo Gallery
This is a collection of photographs of the chemical elements. The images are public domain, so you are welcome to download and use them.
Periodic Table of the Elements
Click on an element's symbol to get facts about its discovery, word origin, isotopes, properties, uses, and sources.
Memorize the Elements
Here is a mnemonic to help you memorize the first twenty elements in the periodic table.
Element List
Here's a list of chemical elements ordered by increasing atomic number. The names and element symbols are provided.
Atomic Weights of the Elements
This is the list of the atomic weights of the elements (2007 IUPAC-accepted values). Elements are listed in order of increasing atomic number.
Elements in the Human Body
Find out what elements are in the human body and what these elements do.
Alchemical Symbols of the Elements
See the symbols of the elements and learn how alchemists used them.
Basic Model of the 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.
Electronic Configuration of the Elements
This table is a compilation of the electron configurations of the elements up through number 104. Tips for writing out stable configurations and for shorthand notation are included.
Element Color Quiz
Do you know the colors of the chemical elements? Here's a fun multiple choice quiz designed to test your knowledge.
Element of the Week E-Course
Learn about the elements! When you sign up you'll get one e-course newsletter a week until you've gotten them all. You'll get facts about the elements and related information about element uses and their impact on our lives.
Element Photos
You probably know what elemental carbon looks like (think diamond or graphite), but you might not know what indium or cadmium look like. Here's a collection of photographs of the elements to help you out.
Element Symbols
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.
Element Types - Chemistry of Groups
Learn the locations of element types on the periodic table and get summaries of the defining characteristics of element groups, such as alkaline earths, noble gases, halogens, etc.
Elements in Fireworks
Learn about the functions of the chemical elements in fireworks.
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?
Elements Listed by Density
See the order of the chemical elements according to their density (mass per unit volume), from least dense to most dense.
Elements Named for People - Element Eponyms
Alphabetical list of the chemical elements named after people.
Elements Named for Places - Element Toponyms
Alphabetical list of elements in chemistry named for places or element toponyms.
Firework Periodic Table
Use this special periodic table to find out what elements are found in fireworks and how they are used. Just click on an element to learn more.
Groups of Elements - Periodic Table
Elements can be categorized according to their similar properties. Here's a periodic table that organizes the elements according to groups. Click an element symbol and learn about the group to which it belongs.
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.
Introduction to the Periodic Table
Learn how the periodic table of the elements is structured. Get basic history about its development and learn how periods and groups relate to electrons and atomic mass.
Lanthanides and Actinides - The Rare Earths
Learn about the properties of the rare earth metals. This 3-part article includes an overview of the rare earths and separate sections for the lanthanide series and actinide series.
Liquid Elements
What are the six elements that are liquid at or near room temperature? Your About Guide answers this question and provides a few facts about each element.
Nitrogen Cycle
Learn about the processes involved in the nitrogen cycle, the biochemical cycle that describes the transformations of nitrogen as it goes through nature.
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.
Relating Atomic Number to Atomic Mass - Isotopes
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.
Timeline of Element Discovery
Use this table to look up the date an element was discovered and the name(s) of its discoverer. Links to additional element facts are provided, too.
Toxic Elements
Here's a list of elements that are toxic or poisonous and have no known nutritional value.
Turning Lead into Gold
Learn about transmutation, the holy grail of alchemy. Can one chemical be changed into another? Is it worth the effort?
Valences of the Elements
The valences aren't just those you see in the columns of the periodic table! Check out this chart of element valences to help determine potential chemical reactions.
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.
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.
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...
What Makes Lead Poisonous?
You probably know that lead is toxic, but do you know what makes it poisonous? Here's an explanation of what lead does in your body that makes it such a health hazard.
10 Carbon Facts
Learn some interesting facts about carbon, the element that is the basis for organic chemistry.
10 Nitrogen Facts
Get handy facts for the element nitrogen.
10 Oxygen Facts
Learn some interesting facts about the element oxygen.
10 Polonium Facts
Before Russian ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko was poisoned with polonium, few people had even heard of it. Here are ten facts about this interesting element.
Actinium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element actinium.
Aluminium or Aluminium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element aluminum or aluminium.
Americium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element americium.
Antimony Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element antimony.
Argon Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element argon.
Arsenic Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element arsenic.
Astatine Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element astatine.
Barium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element barium.
Berkelium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element berkelium.
Beryllium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element beryllium.
Bismuth Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element bismuth.
Bohrium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element bohrium.
Boron Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element boron.
Bromine Facts
Get facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element bromine.
Cadmium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element cadmium.
Calcium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element calcium.
Californium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element californium.
Carbon Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element carbon.
Cerium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element cerium.
Cesium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element cesium.
Chromium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element chromium.
Chlorine Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element chlorine.
Cobalt Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element cobalt.
Copper Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element copper.
Curium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element curium.
Darmstadtium Facts - Ununnilium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element darmstadtium or ununnilium.
Dubnium Facts
Get facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element dubnium.
Dysprosium Facts
Get facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element dysprosium.
Einsteinium Facts
Get facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element einsteinium.
Erbium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element erbium.
Europium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element europium.
Fermium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element fermium.
Fluorine Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element fluorine.
Francium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element francium.
Gadolinium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element gadolinium.
Gallium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element gallium.
Germanium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element germanium.
Gold Facts
Get facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element gold.
Hafnium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element hafnium.
Hassium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element hassium.
Helium Facts
Get facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element helium.
Holmium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element holmium.
Hydrogen Facts
Get facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element hydrogen.
Indium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element indium.
Iridium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element iridium.
Iron Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element iron.
Krypton Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element krypton.
Iodine Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element iodine.
Lanthanum Facts
Get facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element lanthanum.
Lawrencium Facts
Get facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element lawrencium.
Lithium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element lithium.
Lead Facts
Get facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element lead.
Lutetium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element lutetium or cassiopeium.
Magnesium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element magnesium.
Manganese Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element manganese.
Meitnerium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element meitnerium.
Mendelevium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element mendelevium.
Mercury Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element mercury.
Molybdenum Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element molybdenum.
Neodymium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element neodymium.
Neon Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element neon.
Neptunium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element neptunium.
Nickel Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element nickel.
Niobium or Columbium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element niobium or columbium.
Nitrogen or Azote Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element nitrogen or azote.
Nobelium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element nobelium.
Osmium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element osmium.
Oxygen Facts
Get facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element oxygen.
Palladium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element palladium.
Phosphorus Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element phosphorus.
Platinum Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element platinum.
Plutonium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element plutonium.
Potassium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element potassium.
Polonium Facts
Get facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element polonium.
Praseodymium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element praseodymium.
Promethium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element promethium.
Protactinium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element protactinium.
Radium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element radium.
Radon Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element radon.
Rhenium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element rhenium.
Rhodium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element rhodium.
Roentgenium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element roentgenium or ununumium.
Rubidium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element rubidium.
Ruthenium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element ruthenium.
Rutherfordium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element rutherfordium.
Samarium Facts
Get facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element samarium.
Scandium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element scandium.
Seaborgium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element seaborgium.
Selenium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element selenium.
Silicon Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element silicon.
Silver Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element silver or argentum.
Sodium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element sodium.
Strontium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element strontium.
Sulfur Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element sulfur.
Tantalum Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element tantalum.
Technetium or Masurium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element technetium or masurium.
Tellurium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element tellurium.
Terbium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element terbium.
Thallium Facts
Get facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element thallium.
Thorium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element thorium.
Thulium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element thulium.
Tin Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element tin.
Titanium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element titanium.
Tungsten or Wolfram Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element tungsten or wolfram.
Ununbium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element ununbium.
Ununhexium Facts
Get facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element ununhexium.
Ununoctium Facts
Get facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element Ununoctium.
Ununpentium Facts
Get facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element Ununpentium.
Ununquadium Facts
Get facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element Ununquadium.
Ununseptium Facts
Get facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element Ununseptium.
Ununtrium Facts
Get facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element Ununtrium.
Uranium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element uranium.
Vanadium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element vanadium.
Xenon Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element xenon.
Ytterbium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element ytterbium.
Yttrium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element yttrium.
Zinc Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element zinc.
Zirconium Facts
Get periodic table facts on the chemical and physical properties of the element zirconium.

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