Kids, what is the most popular chart used by chemists? Elements are the building blocks of all matter, and currently there are about 117 different and unique atoms comprising the elements. There are many ways to arrange the chemical elements into a chart. Mendeleev arranged rows and columns so that elements were grouped according to recurring (periodic) common properties. Mendeleev's table forms the basis for the modern periodic table of the elements, which lists the elements in order of increasing atomic number while grouping them according to periodic properties. But there isn't just 'one' modern periodic table of the elements. Unless you want a table that is impossible to read, there is a limit to the facts provided on each table. Plus, there is more than one way to group the elements. That's why you'll find more than one periodic table of the elements here: 

Please note:  All chemicals and experiments can entail an element of risk, and no experiments should be performed without proper adult supervision.

Clickable Periodic Table of the Elements ( http://chemistry.about.com/library/blperiodictable.htm ). Anne Marie Helmenstine has a favorite at about.com: Chemistry. You can tell at a glance whether an element is a metal or nonmetal, get its atomic number, determine its usual valence, and click on a symbol for detailed facts; there are also extra links provided. Other common variants can be found with simple internet searches; a nice one that is particular to our age group is: http://www.chem4kids.com/files/elem_intro.html

Printable Periodic Tables ( http://chemistry.about.com/od/periodictableelements/a/printperiodic.htm ). This is a collection of several different versions of the periodic table to save or print.

Periodic Table Image Gallery ( http://chemistry.about.com/od/periodictables/ig/Periodic-Tables/ ). This link has Mendeleev’s original as well as variations like circular and spiral tables.

Groups of Elements Periodic Table ( http://chemistry.about.com/library/weekly/blgroups.htm ). If you click a link on this table you get information about the group to which the element belongs.

Fireworks Periodic Table ( http://chemistry.about.com/library/weekly/blfireworks.htm ). Clicking an element will tell you how it is used in fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices.

Periodic Table sorted by Abundance: In the June 1998 column of ChemShorts for Kids we gave the reference to our article on an activity using the periodic table sorted by abundance on the Earth’s surface: http://membership.acs.org/c/chicago/ChmShort/CS98.html#6.98 

--------------

Kathleen Carrado Gregar, PhD, Argonne National Labs 
[email protected]
May 2008