The periodic table is a great scientific tool that represents every single element in the universe from gases to metals. In 1869, Russian chemist Dmitri Mandaleeve established that the properties of elements recur in a regular, periodic manner when they’re arranged in order of increasing atomic weight. His study then became the basis for the modern periodic table which represents elements of our universe as per its atomic number. Let’s learn some fascinating periodic table facts along with its history, characteristics of elements, their mass, atomic number and groups.

What Is a Periodic Table
Atomic Numbers of Elements in Periodic Table
Groups of Elements in the Periodic Table
Interesting Facts about Periodic Table

What is a Periodic Table

A periodic table is an organised chart of elements according to their atomic number, chemical properties and configurations. There are a total of 118 elements in the periodic table that represent each and every fundamental building block of our universe from oxygen we breathe to the metals in soil beneath our feet. Each element in this tabular form is represented through a unique symbol and has its own atomic number. The rows in a periodic table are called periods and the columns are called groups. There are 7 rows and 18 columns in a periodic table. Members of the same group in a periodic table have similar properties.

Atomic Numbers of Elements in Periodic Table

The atomic number of each element in the periodic table is the number of protons in the nucleus of that element’s atom. The atomic number of the elements in the periodic table increases by one each element as we move from left to right along its rows. Elements from first rows to the last are arranged as per atomic number with hydrogen having the least atomic number as 1 and oganesson having the highest atomic number as 118.

Groups of Elements in Periodic Table

Group 1 (Alkali Metals): Six highly reactive metals of periodic table that react strongly with water to form an alkaline base are lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, caesium and francium. These metals are stored under soil to prevent contact with air and moisture. They release hydrogen ions when they come in contact with water.

Group 2 (Alkaline Earth Metals): The metals that are less reactive than alkali metals such as magnesium, calcium, and barium are part of group 2. Calcium belonging to group 2 in the periodic table is a biologically important metal for our bones and teeth.

Group 3 (Transition Metals): Metals in group 3-12 of the periodic table such as iron, copper, gold, silver, zinc, and titanium are called transition metals. These metals exhibit multiple oxidation states and are conductive lustrous metals.

Group 13-16: This group is a mix of metal, non-metals and metalloids that are characterised by the electrons progressively filling their p-orbit. The metallic properties of these elements increase as we go from left to right along rows and decrease from to down along columns. Aluminium, lead and tin are some of the metals belonging to this group. Oxygen and nitrogen are gases belonging to this group.

Group 17 (Halogens): This group of highly reactive non-metals such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine from salt when they react with water.

Group 18( NobleGases): These are extremely stable, colourless and unreactive gases - such as helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon and radon.

Interesting facts about Periodic Table

There are 118 elements in the periodic table including gases, metals, non-metals and metalloids.
Technetium (Tc) was the first artificially produced element.
Hydrogen forms 90% of the universe’s atoms and helium constitutes the rest of the 10%.
J is the only letter missing from the periodic table.
Oxygen is the most common element in the human body.