General Science
Periodic table
Tabular arrangement of the chemical elements
Overview
The periodic table, also known as the periodic table of the elements, is an ordered arrangement of the chemical elements into rows ("periods") and columns ("groups"). An icon of chemistry, the periodic table is also widely used in physics and other sciences. It is a depiction of the periodic law, which states that when the elements are arranged in order of their atomic numbers an approximate recurrence of their properties is evident. The table is divided into four roughly rectangular areas called blocks. Elements in the same group tend to show similar chemical characteristics.
Source: Wikipedia — Periodic table (CC BY-SA)
Key concepts
How Periodic table connects to the ideas, people and events around it.
A chemical element is a species of atom defined by its number of protons. The number of protons is called the atomic number of that element. For example, oxygen has an atomic number of 8: each oxygen atom has 8 protons in its nucleus.
A period on the periodic table is a row of chemical elements. All elements in a row have the same number of electron shells. Each next element in a period has one more proton and is less metallic than its predecessor.
In chemistry, a group is a column of elements in the periodic table of the chemical elements. There are 18 numbered groups in the periodic table; the 14 f-block columns, between groups 2 and 3, are not numbered.
A cultural icon is a person or an artifact that is identified by members of a culture as representative of that culture.
Chemistry is the scientific study of the properties and behavior of matter.
Physics is the scientific study of matter, its fundamental constituents, its motion and behavior through space and time, and the related entities of energy and force. It is one of the most fundamental scientific disciplines.
In chemistry, periodic trends are specific patterns present in the periodic table that illustrate different aspects of certain elements when grouped by period and/or group. They were discovered by the Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev in 1863.
The atomic number or nuclear charge number of a chemical element is the charge number of its atomic nucleus.
Revise Periodic table
Flashcards and a quick quiz, built from this map.
Questions about Periodic table
What is Periodic table?
The periodic table, also known as the periodic table of the elements, is an ordered arrangement of the chemical elements into rows ("periods") and columns ("groups"). An icon of chemistry, the periodic table is also widely used in physics and other sciences.
What are the key concepts related to Periodic table?
The main concepts connected to Periodic table include Chemical element, Period (periodic table), Group (periodic table), Cultural icon, Chemistry, Physics, Periodic trends, Atomic number. Each is linked on the map above with its own summary.
Which exams cover Periodic table?
Periodic table is part of General Science, which appears in the syllabus of UPSC CAPF, NDA, CDS, AFCAT, SSC CGL, SSC CHSL and 18 more exams.