Elements
Find out about the chemical elements. Learn what an element is and get fun elements facts.
What Is a Chemical Element?
Get the definition for a chemical element.
Get the definition for a chemical element.
Element List
Here's a list of chemical elements ordered by increasing atomic number. The names and element symbols are provided.
Here's a list of chemical elements ordered by increasing atomic number. The names and element symbols are provided.
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.
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.
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.
Here is a mnemonic to help you memorize the first twenty elements in the periodic table.
Alphabetical List of Elements
Here's a list of the elements, in alphabetical order according to their IUPAC names.
Here's a list of the elements, in alphabetical order according to their IUPAC names.
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.
This is the list of the atomic weights of the elements (2007 IUPAC-accepted values). Elements are listed in order of increasing atomic number.
Carbon Cycle
Carbon is an element that is essential for life. The carbon cycle describes the storage and exchange of carbon between the Earth's biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.
Carbon is an element that is essential for life. The carbon cycle describes the storage and exchange of carbon between the Earth's biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.
Element Atomic Number Quiz
The atomic number of an element is the same as its number of protons. The atomic number determines an element's order in the periodic table. Do you know the numbers of the first few elements? Here's your chance to test yourself, while learning some facts about the elements, too.
The atomic number of an element is the same as its number of protons. The atomic number determines an element's order in the periodic table. Do you know the numbers of the first few elements? Here's your chance to test yourself, while learning some facts about the elements, too.
Element Mnemonic Device
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.
Element Names Spelling Quiz
It's easy to understand how people get confused over the spelling of element names like sulfur, which the IUPAC changed from sulphur (a common spelling still used in some countries). Other element names are just harder to spell. Do you know them all?
It's easy to understand how people get confused over the spelling of element names like sulfur, which the IUPAC changed from sulphur (a common spelling still used in some countries). Other element names are just harder to spell. Do you know them all?
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 elements uses and their impact on our lives.
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 elements uses and their impact on our lives.
Element Picture Quiz
Can you recognize the elements when you see them? Here's a quiz that tests your ability to identify an element based on its appearance.
Can you recognize the elements when you see them? Here's a quiz that tests your ability to identify an element based on its appearance.
Element Symbol Matching Quiz - Challenging
Here's a challenging matching quiz. I've selected elements and their symbols from across the periodic table, with an eye toward those often thought to be confusing.
Here's a challenging matching quiz. I've selected elements and their symbols from across the periodic table, with an eye toward those often thought to be confusing.
Element Symbol Matching Quiz
Can you match the names of the elements to their corresponding symbols? Here's an easy quiz to test your skill, using 10 of the first 18 elements. Have fun!
Can you match the names of the elements to their corresponding symbols? Here's an easy quiz to test your skill, using 10 of the first 18 elements. Have fun!
Element Symbol Quiz
Can you match the chemical symbol to its element? Here's a ten-question quiz to test your knowledge.
Can you match the chemical symbol to its element? Here's a ten-question quiz to test your knowledge.
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.
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.
Elements in the Human Body
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.
Elements Named for People - Element Eponyms
Alphabetical list of the chemical elements named after people.
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.
Alphabetical list of elements in chemistry named for places or element toponyms.
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.
Javascript Periodic Table of the Elements
This is an interactive javascript periodic table of the elements. Click on an symbol on the periodic table to get facts about the element.
This is an interactive javascript periodic table of the elements. Click on an symbol on the periodic table to get facts about the element.
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.
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.
Learn about the processes involved in the nitrogen cycle, the biochemical cycle that describes the transformations of nitrogen as it goes through nature.
Printable Periodic Table of the Elements
Download or print these periodic tables to help work chemistry problems or to predict properties of the elements.
Download or print these periodic tables to help work chemistry problems or to predict properties of the elements.
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.
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.
Here's a list of elements that are toxic or poisonous and have no known nutritional value.
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...
Which Element Are You?
Which chemical element are you? Technically speaking, you mostly consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, but which element best represents your personality? Take this fun multiple choice quiz to find out.
Which chemical element are you? Technically speaking, you mostly consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, but which element best represents your personality? Take this fun multiple choice quiz to find out.