How to Use the Interactive Table
New here? This two-minute tour shows you everything the table can do, from finding an
element to spinning its atoms in 3D.
1
Find an Element
Every element has a coloured tile in the main table. Tap one to open its details.
- Type in the search box to find an element by name, symbol or atomic number. Try gold, Au or 79. Everything else dims so the match stands out.
- Names work in your own language and in English, so on the Chinese site both 金 and gold find gold.
2
Filter by Group
The colours show each element's family, such as alkali metals, noble gases or transition metals.
- Tap the All groups button next to the title and choose a group to highlight just those elements.
- Tap the Ln or An tile in the table to highlight the lanthanide or actinide series.
3
Read the Details
The detail panel shows around 20 properties, from electron configuration and atomic mass to melting point and crystal structure.
- Not sure what a property means? Tap the small ⓘ next to it for a plain-language definition in the glossary.
- Scroll down for the Brief Introduction: everyday uses, how the element is produced, its history, safety and price.
- On larger screens, a mini table in the corner shows where the element sits. Links at the bottom take you to Wikipedia and to a search about the element's discovery.
4
Explore in 3D
Each element has two interactive models: a Bohr model of its electron shells and its crystal structure.
- Drag to rotate. Pinch or scroll to zoom.
- The crystal model spins on its own to show the structure from every side.
5
Hear the Name
Not sure how to say praseodymium?
- Tap the speaker icon next to the element's name to hear it pronounced, in the language you are using.
6
Share a Link
Every element, group and series has its own web address, so you can send someone straight to it.
- Open an element and copy the address, for example
/element/Au for gold.
- Groups and series work the same way:
/category/noble-gas or /series/lanthanides.
- Links keep their language, so
/ja/element/Au opens gold in Japanese.
Tips
Present to a class
On a phone held sideways, or in the app on a sideways tablet, tap the full-screen button at the bottom left of the table to show nothing but the elements. Great for projectors.
Change the language
Choose from 9 languages in the footer, or, on a phone, from the settings button at the top right.
Start over
Tap the Periodic Table title at any time to clear your search and filters.
Start exploring