The Periodic Table may seem like a confusing puzzle at first, all those numbers and symbols in little boxes! But with the basics learned (and a few of our favorite memory hacks), it becomes one of the simplest things to use in science.
Here in this blog, we will dissect it for you — what it is, how it’s structured, and easy shortcuts to memorize it. Let’s get started!
What is the Periodic Table?
The Periodic Table is a table which displays all the known chemical elements such as Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O), and Iron (Fe). These are the atoms of all the things around you from water and air to your body and books.
It was originally arranged by Dmitri Mendeleev, who organized elements according to their atomic number (the number of protons in an atom) and chemical behavior.
Structure: Understanding the Layout
- Periods (rows) – 7 horizontal rows. Elements in the same row have an equal number of electron shells.
- Groups (columns) – 18 vertical columns. Elements in the same group tend to act alike.
- Metals, Non-metals, Metalloids – Elements are also sorted into categories based on their properties.
Here’s a quick picture:
Metals = Left side (shiny, conducts electricity)
Non-metals = Right side (gases or dull solids, do not conduct)
Metalloids = In between (a mix of both)
Simple Tricks to Remember Elements
First 20 Elements Shortcut:This is a clever mnemonic to remember the first 20 elements:
“Hi He Likes Beer But Could Not Offer Full Nine Sisters. Naughty Maggie Always Sings Perfect Songs Clearly Around Kings Causing Strong Arguments.”
Explanation:
Hi – Hydrogen (H)
He – Helium (He)
Likes – Lithium (Li)
Beer – Beryllium (Be)
But – Boron (B)
Could – Carbon (C)
Not – Nitrogen (N)
Offer – Oxygen (O)
Nine – Neon (Ne)
Sisters – Sodium (Na)
Naughty – Magnesium (Mg)
Maggie – Aluminium (Al)
Always – Silicon (Si)
Sings – Phosphorus (P)
Perfect – Sulfur (S)
Songs – Chlorine (Cl)
Clearly – Argon (Ar)
Around – Potassium (K)
Kings – Calcium (Ca)
Read it out loud a couple of times before it really sticks!
- Color Code Your Periodic Table: Highlight metals, non-metals, and gases using highlighters.
- Group Study Game: Quiz one another on elements and symbols.
- Start Small: 5 elements a day. Write name, symbol, and one application.
- Use Flashcards: Symbol (Na) on one side, name + use (Sodium – in salt) on the other.
- Look Around You: Connect elements to the real world. Example:
- Oxygen (O) – Breathing
- Iron (Fe) – In nails and in your blood
- Carbon (C) – In pencils (graphite)
For Teachers: Make It Fun!
- Use wall charts and magnetic tiles for interactive quizzes.
- Link elements to objects around you such as Aluminium in foil or Neon in signboards.
- Tell periodic trends as stories: “As you go down a group, the atoms get bigger like siblings growing taller!”
Why Learn the Periodic Table?
Once you know the periodic table:
- Chemistry becomes 10x easier.
- You can predict how elements behave.
- You’ll understand what’s in everyday things from water to toothpaste and all!
Vistas Learning: Learn Better
Struggling still? You don’t have to memorize it yourself. Vistas Learning provides entertaining, educational videos, easy-to-understand explanations, and real-world connections making the periodic table (and all chemistry) much simpler to grasp.
Are you a student struggling to ace your science exams or parents who provide easy learning to your child? Vistas Learning is your ultimate reference guide.
Contact us, learn the table, use the shortcuts, and make chemistry your favorite subject!
And don’t forget: with Vistas Learning, science and every other subject starts making sense.