PERIODIC TABLE

Dmitri Mendeleev published the first periodic table in 1869. He showed that when the elements
were ordered according to atomic weight, a pattern resulted where similar properties for elements
recurred periodically. Based on the work of physicist Henry Moseley, the periodic table was
reorganized on the basis of increasing atomic number rather than on atomic weight. The revised
table could be used to predict the properties of elements that had yet to be discovered. Many of
these predictions were later substantiated through experimentation. This led to the formulation of
the periodic law, which states that the chemical properties of the elements are dependent on their
atomic numbers.

1 H Hydrogen 
explosive gas, lightest element
90% of atoms in the universe, sun and stars, H2O, life's organic molecules
2 He Helium 
inert gas, second-lightest element
nuclear fusion in sun and stars, balloons, lasers, supercold refrigerant
3 Li Lithium 
lightest metal, soft, reactive
lightweight aluminum alloys, batteries, impact-resistant ceramic
cookware (Corningware©), mood stabilizer
4 Be Beryllium 
lightweight metal
non-sparking copper alloy tools, aerospace, X-ray windows, beryl gems:
emeralds and aquamarines
5 B Boron 
hard black solid
borax soap, fertilizer, stiff fibers, sports equipment (golf clubs, tennis
rackets, skis), heat-resistant borosilicate glass (Pyrex©), semiconductors
6 C Carbon 
hard diamond, soft graphite
basis of life's organic
molecules, animals, plants, CO2, wood, paper, cloth, plastic, coal, oil
7 N Nitrogen 
colorless gas
78% of air, organic
molecules, protein, muscles, DNA, ammonia, fertilizer, explosives
(TNT), refrigerants
8 O Oxygen 
colorless gas
21% of air, H2O, 65% of the human body, organic
molecules, blood, breathing, fire, half of Earth's crust, minerals, oxides
9 F Fluorine 
yellowish poison gas, most reactive element
glowing fluorite, toothpaste, nonstick cookware (Teflon©), CFC
refrigerants (Freon©)
10 N Neon 
e inert gas
orange-red neon tubes for advertising signs, lasers, supercold refrigerant
11 N Sodium 
a soft metal, reactive
salt (NaCl), nerves, baking soda, antacids, lye, soap, soda
ash, glass, papermaking, street lamps
12  Magnesium 
Mg lightweight metal
chlorophyll in green plants, talc, basalt, aluminum
 alloys, cars, planes, bikes, flares, sparklers, antacids
13 A Aluminum  or Aluminium 
l lightweight non-corroding metal
common
metal, kitcheware, cans, foil, machinery, cars, planes, bikes, feldspar, gra
nite, clay, ceramics, corundum, gems
14 S Silicon 
i hard metalloid
quartz, granite, sand, soil, clay, ceramics, glass, algae, diatoms, semicond
uctors, computer chips, silicone rubber
15 P Phosphorus 
glowing white waxy solid (also red and black forms)
bones, DNA, energy-storing phosphates
(ATP), fertilizer, acids, detergents, matches
16 S Sulfur 
brittle yellow solid
skin, hair, eggs, onions, garlic, skunks, hot
springs, volcanos, gypsum, rubber, acids, papermaking
17 C Chlorine 
l greenish poison gas
salt (NaCl), bleach, stomach acid, disinfectant, drinking water, swimming
pools, PVC plastic pipes and bottles
18 A Argon 
r inert gas
1% of air, most abundant inert gas on Earth, light bulbs, "neon"
tubes, lasers, welding gas
19 K Potassium 
soft metal, reactive
salts, nerves, nutrient in fruits and
vegetables, soap, fertilizer, potash, matches, gunpowder
20 C Calcium 
a soft metal
bones, teeth, milk, leaves, vegetables, shells, coral, limestone, chalk, gypsu
m, plaster, mortar, cement, marble, antacids
21 S Scandium 
 c soft lightweight metal
aluminum alloys, racing bikes, stadium lamps, furnace
bricks, aquamarines
22 T Titanium 
i strongest lightweight metal, heat-resistant
aerospace, racing bikes, artificial joints, white paint, blue sapphires
23 V Vanadium 
hard metal
hard strong resilient
steel, structures, vehicles, springs, driveshafts, tools, aerospace, violet
sapphires
24 C Chromium 
r hard shiny metal
stainless steel (Fe-Cr-Ni), kitchenware, nichrome heaters, car
trim, paints, recording tape, emeralds and rubies
25  Manganese 
Mn hard metal
hard tough steel, earthmovers, rock
crushers, rails, plows, axes, batteries, fertilizer, amethysts
26 F Iron 
e medium-hard metal, magnetic
steel alloys are mostly iron, structures, vehicles, magnets, Earth's
core, red rocks, blood
27 C Cobalt 
o hard metal, magnetic
hard strong steel, cutting tools, turbines, magnets (Al-Ni-Co), blue glass
and ceramics, vitamin B-12
28 N Nickel 
i medium-hard metal, magnetic
stainless steel (Fe-Cr-Ni), kitchenware, nichrome heaters, coins, nicad
batteries, Earth's core
29 C Copper 
u colored metal, conducts heat and electricity well
wires, cookware, brass (Cu-Zn), bronze (Cu-Sn), coins, pipes, blue crab
blood
30 Z Zinc 
n non-corroding metal
galvanized steel, brass (Cu-Zn), batteries, white paint, phosphors in
TVs and lamps, fertilizer
31 G Gallium 
a soft metal, melts on a hot day
semiconductors, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) (GaAs), signal lights, tiny
lasers
32 G Germanium 
e brittle metalloid
semiconductors, transistors, rectifiers, diodes, photocells, lenses, infrared
windows
33 A Arsenic 
s brittle metalloid
poisons, semiconductors, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) (GaAs), signal
lights, tiny lasers
34 S Selenium 
e brittle gray solid
semiconductors, photocopiers, laser printers, photocells, red
glass, dandruff shampoo, rubber
35 B Bromine 
r dark red liquid
disinfectant, pools and spas, photo film, flame retardant, leaded
gas, sedatives
36 K Krypton 
r inert gas
high-intensity lamps, headlights, flashlights, lanterns, "neon"
tubes, lasers
37 R Rubidium 
b soft metal, reactive
atomic clocks, global navigation (GPS), vacuum tube scavenger
38 S Strontium 
r soft metal
red fireworks, flares, phosphors, nuclear batteries, medical diagnostic
tracer, nuclear fallout
39 Y Yttrium 
soft metal
phosphors in color TVs, lasers (YAG, YLF), furnace bricks, high-
temperature superconductors
40 Z Zirconium 
r non-corroding neutron-resistant metal
chemical pipelines, nuclear reactors, furnace bricks, abrasives, zircon
gems
41 N Niobium 
b high-melting-point non-corroding metal
chemical pipelines, superconductors, magnetic levitation trains, MRI
magnets
42  Molybdenum 
Mo high-melting-point metal
hard steel, cutting tools, drill bits, armor plate, gun barrels, fertilizer
43 T Technetium 
c radioactive, long-lived
first human-made element, only traces on Earth but found in
stars, medical diagnostic tracer
44 R Ruthenium 
u non-corroding hard metal
electric contacts, leaf switches, pen tips, catalyst, hydrogen production
45 R Rhodium 
h non-corroding hard shiny metal
labware, reflectors, electric contacts, thermocouples, catalyst, pollution
control
46 P Palladium 
d non-corroding hard metal, absorbs hydrogen
labware, electric contacts, dentistry, catalyst, pollution control
47 A Silver  
g soft shiny metal, conducts electricity best of all elements
jewelry, silverware, coins, dentistry, photo film
48 C Cadmium 
d non-corroding soft metal, toxic
 electroplated steel, nicad batteries, red and yellow paints, fire sprinklers
49 I Indium 
n soft metal
solders, glass seals, glass coatings, liquid crystal displays
(LCD), semiconductors, diodes, photocells
50 S Tin 
n non-corroding soft metal
solders, plated food cans, bronze (Cu-Sn), pewter cups, glassmaking, fire
sprinklers
51 S Antimony 
b brittle metalloid
solders, lead
hardener, batteries, bullet, semiconductors, photocells, matches, flame
retardant
52 T Tellurium 
e brittle metalloid
alloys, semiconductors, photocopiers, computer disk, thermo-electric
coolers and generators
53 I Iodine 
violet-black solid
disinfectant for wounds and drinking water, added to salt to prevent
thyroid disease, photo film
54 X Xenon 
e inert gas
high-intensity lamps, headlights, stadium
lamps, projectors, strobes, lasers, spacecraft ion engines
55 C Cesium  
s soft metal, melts on a hot day, reactive, largest stable atoms
atomic clocks, global navigation (GPS), vacuum tube scavenger
56 B Barium 
a soft metal, absorbs X-rays
stomach X-ray contrast enhancer, green fireworks, whitener and filler
for paper
57 L Lanthanum 
soft metal
 a optical glass, telescope eyepieces, camera lenses, lighter flints, arc lamps
58 C Cerium 
e soft metal
most abundant rare earth metal, lighter flints, arc lamps, gas lamp
mantles, self-cleaning ovens, glass polishing
59 P Praseodymium 
r soft metal
torchworkers' didymium eyeglasses, lighter flints, arc
lamps, magnets, yellow glass
60 N Neodymium 
d soft metal
strong magnets (Nd-Fe-B), electric motors, speakers and
headphones, lasers, lighter flints
61 P Promethium 
m radioactive, long-lived
human-made, small traces in nature, luminous dials, sheet thickness
gauges
62 S Samarium 
m soft metal
magnets (Sm-Co), electric motors, speakers and headphones, infrared
sensors, infrared-absorbing glass
63 E Europium 
u soft metal
phosphors in color TVs and trichromatic fluorescent lamps, luminous
paint, lasers
64 G Gadolinium 
d soft metal, best neutron absorber, magnetic
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast
enhancer, phosphors, neutron radiography
65 T Terbium 
b soft metal
phosphors in color TVs and trichromatic fluorescent lamps, computer
disks, magnetostrictive "smart" materials (Fe-Dy-Tb) (Terfenol-D©)
66 D Dysprosium 
 y soft metal
nuclear control rods, MRI phosphors, computer disks, magnetostrictive
"smart" materials (Fe-Dy-Tb) (Terfenol-D©)
67 H Holmium 
o soft metal
infrared lasers, laser surgery, eye-safe laser rangefinders, computer
disks, yellow glass filters
68 E Erbium 
r soft metal
fiber optic signal amplifiers, infrared lasers, laser surgery, pink
glass, sunglasses, vanadium alloys
69 T Thulium 
m soft metal
rarest stable rare earth metal, infrared lasers, laser surgery, phosphors
70 Y Ytterbium 
b soft metal
fiber optic signal amplifiers, infrared fiber lasers, stainless steel alloys
71 L Lutetium 
u soft metal, densest and hardest rare earth metal
cancer-fighting photodynamic (light-activated) medicine
72 H Hafnium 
f non-corroding metal, absorbs neutrons
nuclear reactor control rods in submarines, plasma torch electrodes
73 T Tantalum 
a high-melting-point non-corroding metal
labware, surgical tools, artificial joints, capacitors, mobile phones
74  Tungsten  
W highest-melting-point metal, dense
filaments in lamps and TVs, cutting tools, abrasives, thermocouples
75 R Rhenium 
e high-melting-point dense metal
rocket engines, heater coils, laboratory filaments, electric
contacts, thermocouples, catalyst
76 O Osmium 
 s non-corroding high-melting-point hard metal, densest element (same as Ir)
electric contacts, pen tips, needles, fingerprint powder
77 I Iridium 
r non-corroding hard metal, densest element (same as Os)
labware, spark plugs, pen tips, needles
78 P Platinum 
t non-corroding dense metal
labware, spark plugs, catalyst, pollution control, petroleum
cracking, processing fats
79 A Gold 
u most malleable element, dense non-tarnishing colored metal
jewelry, coins, ultra-thin gold leaf, electric contacts
80 H Mercury 
g liquid metal, toxic
thermometers, barometers, thermostats, street lamps, fluorescent
lamps, dentistry
81 T Thallium 
l soft metal, toxic
low-melting-point mercury alloys, low-temperature
thermometers, undersea lamps, photocells
82 P Lead 
b dense, soft, non-corroding metal, toxic
weights, solders, batteries, bullets, crystal glass, old plumbing, radiation
shield
83 B Bismuth 
i low melting point, brittle metal
solders, fuses, fire sprinklers (plugs melt when hot), cosmetics pigment
84 P Polonium 
o radioactive, long-lived
first radioactive element found, small traces in nature, anti-static
brushes, tobacco
85 A Astatine 
t radioactive, short-lived
small traces in nature, cancer medicine
86 R Radon 
n radioactive gas, short-lived
environmental hazard, surgical implants for cancer treatment
87 F Francium 
r radioactive, short-lived, atoms larger than cesium
small traces in nature, studied in laser atom traps
88 R Radium 
a radioactive, long-lived
luminous watches (now banned), medical radon
production, radiography, radwaste
89 A Actinium 
c radioactive, long-lived
small traces in nature, cancer medicine, neutron source, radwaste
90 T Thorium 
h radioactive, long-lived
most abundant radioactive element, nuclear reactor fuel, gas lamp
mantles, tungsten filaments, radwaste
91 P Protactinium 
a radioactive, long-lived
small traces in nature, no uses, radwaste
92 U Uranium 
radioactive, long-lived, dense
nuclear reactor fuel, nuclear weapons, counterweights, armor-piercing
bullets
93 N Neptunium 
p radioactive, long-lived
small traces in nature, neutron detectors, dosimeters, possibly nuclear
weapons, radwaste
94 P Plutonium 
u radioactive, long-lived
small traces in nature, nuclear reactor fuel, spacecraft power, nuclear
weapons
95 A Americium 
m radioactive, long-lived
 never found in nature, smoke detectors, sheet thickness gauges, radwaste
96 C Curium 
m radioactive, long-lived
never found in nature, scientific instruments, mineral analyzers, radwaste
97 B Berkelium 
k radioactive, long-lived
never found in nature, no uses, radwaste
98 C Californium 
f radioactive, long-lived
never found in nature, scientific instruments, mineral analyzers, radwaste
99 E Einsteinium 
s radioactive, short-lived
never found in nature, no uses
100  Fermium 
Fm radioactive, short-lived
never found in nature, no uses
101  Mendelevium 
Md radioactive, short-lived
never found in nature, no uses
102  Nobelium 
No radioactive, short-lived
never found in nature, no uses
103  Lawrencium 
Lr radioactive, short-lived
never found in nature, no uses
104  Rutherfordium 
Rf radioactive, short-lived
never found in nature, no uses
105  Dubnium 
Db radioactive, short-lived
never found in nature, no uses
106  Seaborgium 
Sg radioactive, short-lived
 never found in nature, no uses
107  Bohrium 
Bh radioactive, short-lived
never found in nature, no uses
108  Hassium 
Hs radioactive, short-lived
never found in nature, no uses
109  Meitnerium 
Mt radioactive, short-lived
never found in nature, no uses
110  Darmstadtium 
Ds radioactive, short-lived
never found in nature, no uses
111  Roentgenium 
Rg radioactive, short-lived
never found in nature, no uses
112  Copernicium 
Cn radioactive, short-lived
never found in nature, no uses
113  Nihonium 
Nh radioactive, short-lived
never found in nature, no uses
114  Flerovium 
Fl radioactive, short-lived
never found in nature, no uses
115  Moscovium 
Mc radioactive, short-lived
never found in nature, no uses
116  Livermorium 
Lv radioactive, short-lived
never found in nature, no uses
117  Tennessine 
Ts radioactive, short-lived
 never found in nature, no uses
118  Oganesson 
Og radioactive, short-lived
never found in nature, no uses
(heaviest element yet made when this was written)

On this chart, a radioactive element is called long-lived if the half-life of any of its isotopes is
more than one year; otherwise it is called short-lived. Some super-heavy elements marked short-
lived may in future be found to have long-lived isotopes.