The first periodic table designed by a Russian scientist named Dmitri Mendeleev dates back to 1869 that ranks the elements in an easy-to-read method according to their physical and chemical attributes. This post contains a periodic table for kids that you can use to teach your little one about the various elements and their properties. The modern periodic table is easy to understand and remember (1). The elements are arranged according to their atomic number, and scientists have adopted this arrangement worldwide to help classify and rank the elements. Read on to learn more about the periodic table, the right way to read it, and the reason behind it.
Why Is It Called The Periodic Table?
The elements in the periodic table are arranged in rows and columns. There are 18 columns known as groups and seven rows called periods. The periodic table gets its name from the seven periods (2). Each element is placed along with other elements sharing the same characteristics, such as non-metal and noble gas. These elements are considered part of the same group. Elements in a group share similar characteristics, including the way they react to other elements.
The Periodic Table
How To Read The Periodic Table?
There are various ways in which the elements in the periodic table are placed and characterized. An element can be considered a part of a row and column with further sub-classifications across rows, columns, or the table. Therefore, the interpretations are vast and could vary based on one’s purpose. Below we explain the basic forms of classification of elements in the periodic table.
1. Fundamental division
The periodic table has the following fundamental attributes.
There are seven rows or periods. These elements share physical properties, such as malleability and conductivity. Two rows of elements from the atomic number 57 to 71 (lanthanides) and 89 to 103 (actinides) are usually grouped below the main table. There are 18 columns or groups. These groups share similar atomic structures and characteristics, such as valency (combining capacity of the atoms).
2. Sub-groups
The elements in the periodic table can be classified into the following three basic types or sub-groups.
Metals: These elements share similar characteristics of melting point, malleability (flexibility), and conductivity (transmission of electricity and heat). Non-metals: Non-metal elements are typically non-conductors or poor conductors of heat and electricity. They are not malleable and lack the characteristic shine or luster of metals. Metalloids: These are also called semi-metals in chemistry. Metalloid elements have characteristics that lie in between metals and non-metals. For instance, metalloids could be shiny like metals but could be poor conductors of heat like non-metals. Some metalloids could be malleable like metals, while others could have poor malleability like non-metals.
3. Column groups
The elements can also be read as part of a group (column). Elements in each column usually share similar characteristics. Below are the names of various columns.
Column 1: Hydrogen and alkali metals Column 2: Alkaline earth metals Columns 3 to 12: Transition metals Columns 13 to 16: Post-transition metals, metalloids, and non-metals Column 17: Halogens Column 18: Noble gases
The columns 3 to 16 also consist of lanthanides, also known as rare-earth elements, and actinides. The properties of these elements differ from the rest. Thus, they are placed at the bottom of the periodic table.
4. Atomic number, atomic mass, and atomic weight
The elements of the periodic table can also be interpreted based on their atomic number, atomic mass, and atomic weight. Below are their definitions (3) (4).
Atomic number: It is the number of protons (positively charged particles) present in the nucleus of an element’s atom. It is often represented by the letter Z. Atomic mass: It is the number of protons and neutrons (neutrally charged particles) present in the nucleus of an element’s atom. It is often represented by the letter A. Atomic weight: An element could have multiple isotopes, which are different forms of the element with the same atomic number (same number of protons) but different number of neutrons. The atomic weight is the average of the atomic masses of all the isotopes of the element.
The following interpretations and characteristics of elements can be observed based on their atomic number, atomic mass, and atomic weight.
Each element will typically contain one more proton than the one before it. For example, Helium (He) has an atomic number of 2, which is 1 more than the previous element Hydrogen (H). Therefore, the atomic number (the number of protons) will increase as you go down the table. Since the number of protons increases, atomic mass and weight increase as you go down a period or across a group, with some notable exceptions. Groups of elements typically have the same color scheme and will share many physical properties. Some element groups could display changes in physical properties as their atomic masses change. For instance, noble gases tend to become denser as their atomic mass increases. The atomic number (number of protons) of an element will always remain the same. However, there could be several undiscovered isotopes of the element. Therefore, the atomic weight could be subject to change, and the one mentioned on the periodic table is generally considered provisional.
Facts About The Periodic Table For Kids
The periodic table is a fascinating tool to categorize elements and has interesting facts about it, too. Here are some fun facts about the periodic table for children (5) (6).
References:
title: “How To Explain The Periodic Table To Kids And Facts About It” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-28” author: “Delores Bruley”
The first periodic table designed by a Russian scientist named Dmitri Mendeleev dates back to 1869 that ranks the elements in an easy-to-read method according to their physical and chemical attributes. This post contains a periodic table for kids that you can use to teach your little one about the various elements and their properties. The modern periodic table is easy to understand and remember (1). The elements are arranged according to their atomic number, and scientists have adopted this arrangement worldwide to help classify and rank the elements. Read on to learn more about the periodic table, the right way to read it, and the reason behind it.
Why Is It Called The Periodic Table?
The elements in the periodic table are arranged in rows and columns. There are 18 columns known as groups and seven rows called periods. The periodic table gets its name from the seven periods (2). Each element is placed along with other elements sharing the same characteristics, such as non-metal and noble gas. These elements are considered part of the same group. Elements in a group share similar characteristics, including the way they react to other elements.
The Periodic Table
How To Read The Periodic Table?
There are various ways in which the elements in the periodic table are placed and characterized. An element can be considered a part of a row and column with further sub-classifications across rows, columns, or the table. Therefore, the interpretations are vast and could vary based on one’s purpose. Below we explain the basic forms of classification of elements in the periodic table.
1. Fundamental division
The periodic table has the following fundamental attributes.
There are seven rows or periods. These elements share physical properties, such as malleability and conductivity. Two rows of elements from the atomic number 57 to 71 (lanthanides) and 89 to 103 (actinides) are usually grouped below the main table. There are 18 columns or groups. These groups share similar atomic structures and characteristics, such as valency (combining capacity of the atoms).
2. Sub-groups
The elements in the periodic table can be classified into the following three basic types or sub-groups.
Metals: These elements share similar characteristics of melting point, malleability (flexibility), and conductivity (transmission of electricity and heat). Non-metals: Non-metal elements are typically non-conductors or poor conductors of heat and electricity. They are not malleable and lack the characteristic shine or luster of metals. Metalloids: These are also called semi-metals in chemistry. Metalloid elements have characteristics that lie in between metals and non-metals. For instance, metalloids could be shiny like metals but could be poor conductors of heat like non-metals. Some metalloids could be malleable like metals, while others could have poor malleability like non-metals.
3. Column groups
The elements can also be read as part of a group (column). Elements in each column usually share similar characteristics. Below are the names of various columns.
Column 1: Hydrogen and alkali metals Column 2: Alkaline earth metals Columns 3 to 12: Transition metals Columns 13 to 16: Post-transition metals, metalloids, and non-metals Column 17: Halogens Column 18: Noble gases
The columns 3 to 16 also consist of lanthanides, also known as rare-earth elements, and actinides. The properties of these elements differ from the rest. Thus, they are placed at the bottom of the periodic table.
4. Atomic number, atomic mass, and atomic weight
The elements of the periodic table can also be interpreted based on their atomic number, atomic mass, and atomic weight. Below are their definitions (3) (4).
Atomic number: It is the number of protons (positively charged particles) present in the nucleus of an element’s atom. It is often represented by the letter Z. Atomic mass: It is the number of protons and neutrons (neutrally charged particles) present in the nucleus of an element’s atom. It is often represented by the letter A. Atomic weight: An element could have multiple isotopes, which are different forms of the element with the same atomic number (same number of protons) but different number of neutrons. The atomic weight is the average of the atomic masses of all the isotopes of the element.
The following interpretations and characteristics of elements can be observed based on their atomic number, atomic mass, and atomic weight.
Each element will typically contain one more proton than the one before it. For example, Helium (He) has an atomic number of 2, which is 1 more than the previous element Hydrogen (H). Therefore, the atomic number (the number of protons) will increase as you go down the table. Since the number of protons increases, atomic mass and weight increase as you go down a period or across a group, with some notable exceptions. Groups of elements typically have the same color scheme and will share many physical properties. Some element groups could display changes in physical properties as their atomic masses change. For instance, noble gases tend to become denser as their atomic mass increases. The atomic number (number of protons) of an element will always remain the same. However, there could be several undiscovered isotopes of the element. Therefore, the atomic weight could be subject to change, and the one mentioned on the periodic table is generally considered provisional.
Facts About The Periodic Table For Kids
The periodic table is a fascinating tool to categorize elements and has interesting facts about it, too. Here are some fun facts about the periodic table for children (5) (6).
