Periodic Table of Elements Chart
Last updated on: 16 June 2025, 18:00
Hydrogen (H)
Hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant element in the universe, composed of a single proton and electron. It is a colorless, odorless gas that plays a critical role in stars and chemical reactions on Earth. Hydrogen is used to power vehicles through hydrogen fuel cells and is a key focus in renewable energy research.
Helium (He)
Helium is an inert noble gas known for its low density and extremely low boiling point, making it vital in cryogenics and scientific research. It is commonly used to fill party balloons because it is lighter than air and non-flammable. Helium's unique properties also make it essential for cooling superconducting magnets in MRI machines and other cryogenic equipment.
Lithium (Li)
Lithium is a soft, silvery metal famous for its use in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries found in smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles, enabling long-lasting power storage. It has one of the highest energy densities of any metal, making it critical in modern battery technology. Lithium compounds are also used in psychiatric medications and lightweight aerospace alloys.
Beryllium (Be)
Beryllium is a rare, steel-gray metal that is lightweight and stiff, used primarily in aerospace applications and precision instruments. It is valued for its high melting point and rigidity, making it useful in aircraft components and X-ray windows. However, beryllium is toxic if inhaled, so it must be handled with care in industrial settings.
Boron (B)
Boron is a metalloid that is vital in the production of borosilicate glass, which is strong and heat-resistant. Such glass is used in laboratory equipment and kitchenware. Boron compounds are also used in fertilizers, detergents, and as flame retardants, and boron nitride is used in high-power electronics and cutting tools.
Carbon (C)
Carbon is a non-metallic element essential to life, forming the basis of all organic compounds. It has several allotropes, including diamond (an extremely hard crystal) and graphite (which conducts electricity). Carbon is also used in carbon fiber composites for lightweight, high-strength materials in aerospace, automotive, and sports equipment.
Nitrogen (N)
Nitrogen makes up about 78% of Earth's atmosphere and is a colorless, odorless gas. It is a key nutrient for plants, so it is a major component of fertilizers that sustain agriculture. Liquid nitrogen is extremely cold and is used in cryogenics, food freezing, and preserving biological samples.
Oxygen (O)
Oxygen is a life-sustaining gas that is essential for respiration in most organisms. It comprises about 21% of the Earth's atmosphere and supports combustion. Oxygen is widely used in medical and industrial applications, such as breathing support for patients and as an oxidizer in steelmaking processes.
Fluorine (F)
Fluorine is the most reactive element and exists as a pale-yellow gas at room temperature. It reacts with almost every other element, forming numerous compounds. Fluorine is added to water supplies (fluoridation) and toothpaste to prevent tooth decay, and fluoropolymers like Teflon are used to make nonstick cookware.
Neon (Ne)
Neon is a noble gas known for its striking reddish-orange glow in neon lights. It is chemically inert and is used mainly in high-voltage indicators and neon signage. Neon lighting technology is used for advertising and artistic displays, taking advantage of neon's vibrant color under electric discharge.
Sodium (Na)
Sodium is a soft, highly reactive metal that readily reacts with water to produce sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. It is most encountered as sodium chloride (table salt), which is essential for human health and food seasoning. Sodium compounds are also used in soap production and street de-icing in winter.
Magnesium (Mg)
Magnesium is a shiny, light metal known for its excellent strength-to-weight ratio. It is used in lightweight alloys for aerospace and automotive components. Magnesium compounds, such as magnesium oxide and hydroxide, are used in refractory materials, supplements, and pharmaceuticals (e.g., antacids and laxatives).
Aluminium (Al)
Aluminium is a lightweight, corrosion-resistant metal widely used in packaging, construction, and transportation. It naturally forms an oxide layer that prevents rusting. Aluminium is used in aircraft, automobiles, beverage cans, and foil. Its high recyclability allows it to be reused without loss of properties.
Silicon (Si)
Silicon is a metalloid that is crucial to modern electronics and computing. It is the second most abundant element in Earth's crust and forms the basis of semiconductors used in computer chips and solar cells. Silicon is also used in glass production and in silicones for sealants and adhesives.
Phosphorus (P)
Phosphorus is a reactive nonmetal that is essential for life, found in DNA and cell membranes. It is commonly extracted from phosphate rock and is a key ingredient in fertilizers that boost plant growth. Phosphorus compounds are also used in safety matches, pesticides, and detergents.
Sulfur (S)
Sulfur is a bright yellow solid at room temperature. It is used to produce sulfuric acid, one of the most important industrial chemicals, used in fertilizers, car batteries, and chemical manufacturing. Sulfur is also used in vulcanizing rubber and in the production of pharmaceuticals and insecticides.
Chlorine (Cl)
Chlorine is a greenish-yellow gas used widely for disinfecting water and swimming pools. It combines with sodium to form table salt. Chlorine is also used in producing plastics like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and in household bleach for cleaning and sanitation.
Argon (Ar)
Argon is an inert noble gas that makes up about 1% of Earth's atmosphere. It is used in lighting (such as fluorescent and LED bulbs) and as a shielding gas in welding and high-temperature industrial processes. Because argon does not react easily, it provides a safe, oxygen-free environment for sensitive manufacturing.
Potassium (K)
Potassium is an alkali metal vital for plant growth, making it a key component of fertilizers. It is also essential in biological processes like nerve signalling and muscle contraction. Potassium compounds are used in food processing and produce violet colors in fireworks.
Calcium (Ca)
Calcium is an alkaline earth metal that plays a crucial role in biology; it is a major component of bones and teeth (calcium phosphate). It is used as calcium carbonate in cement and concrete production. Calcium compounds are also used in dietary supplements, antacids (like calcium carbonate for indigestion), and plaster.
Titanium (Ti)
Titanium is a strong, lightweight metal known for its high strength-to-density ratio and corrosion resistance. It is used in aerospace parts, medical implants, and high-performance engineering. Titanium alloys are found in jet engines, spacecraft, and bicycle frames.
Vanadium (V)
Vanadium is a hard metal used as an additive to strengthen steel and create special alloys. Vanadium steel alloys are used in tools, springs, and engine parts. Vanadium redox batteries are an emerging technology for large-scale energy storage, supporting renewable power grids.
Manganese (Mn)
Manganese is a metal used to improve the strength and hardness of steel alloys. It is also a component in dry cell batteries and in fertilizers. Manganese dioxide is used in glass and ceramics production, and in blackboard chalk.
Iron (Fe)
Iron is one of the most common and useful metals on Earth. It is the primary component of steel, which is used in construction (beams, bridges, buildings) and consumer goods. Iron is also essential biologically (haemoglobin in blood contains iron) and is used in magnets and electromagnetic devices.
Cobalt (Co)
Cobalt is a hard, magnetic metal used in high-strength alloys and cutting tools. It is a key component of rechargeable battery cathodes (like lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and electronics). Cobalt pigments give a deep blue color to glass and ceramics.
Nickel (Ni)
Nickel is a hard metal used for corrosion-resistant alloys and coinage. It is a major component of stainless steel and is used in rechargeable batteries. Nickel plating is common for its shiny finish and rust resistance on coins and electronics.
Copper (Cu)
Copper is a reddish metal known for its excellent electrical and thermal conductivity. It is widely used in electrical wiring and plumbing. Copper compounds give the green patina on the Statue of Liberty, and copper is used in roofing, cookware, and coinage.
Zinc (Zn)
Zinc is a metal used to galvanize iron and steel to prevent rust (galvanized steel). It is also a key component of brass (an alloy with copper) and used in die-casting. Zinc oxide is used in sunscreen, rubber manufacturing, and as an essential trace element in human nutrition.
Gallium (Ga)
Gallium is a soft metal that melts just above room temperature. It is a key component in semiconductors, especially gallium arsenide, used in LEDs, lasers, and solar cells. Gallium nitride is used in blue and white LED lighting and in high-frequency electronics.
Germanium (Ge)
Germanium is a semiconductor material used in fiber optics and infrared optics. It was used in the first transistors and solar cells. Germanium dioxide is used in optical glass, and the element is also used in night-vision devices and infrared detectors.
Arsenic (As)
Arsenic is a metalloid known for its toxicity; it has been used historically as a poison. Small amounts of arsenic are used in semiconductor chips and as a doping agent in electronics. Arsenic compounds are also used in wood preservation and pesticides.
Selenium (Se)
Selenium is a nonmetal with photovoltaic properties; it is used in photocells and solar cells. Selenium is used to decolorize glass and as a nutritional supplement (a trace element essential for some enzymes). Its compounds give red color to certain glasses and are used in anti-dandruff shampoos.
Bromine (Br)
Bromine is a reddish-brown liquid at room temperature. It is used in flame retardants, certain medications, and water purification chemicals. Bromine salts are also used in photography and some herbicides.
Krypton (Kr)
Krypton is a noble gas that emits bright light when electrically excited. It is used in certain photographic flashes and high-performance light bulbs (like some types of headlamps). Krypton gas is also used in some specialized insulation windows for energy efficiency.
Rubidium (Rb)
Rubidium is a soft metal used in research and in developing atomic clocks due to its precise frequency standards. It has limited commercial use, but rubidium gas is used in photocells and specialty vacuum tubes. Rubidium compounds are also used in fireworks to produce violet colors.
Strontium (Sr)
Strontium is an alkaline earth metal used in producing red colors in fireworks and flares. It is also used in refining zinc and in making ferrite magnets. Strontium compounds (like strontium titanate) are used in jewellery as a diamond substitute and in color television phosphors.
Yttrium (Y)
Yttrium is a metal often classified with the rare earth elements. It is used in LEDs and phosphors; yttrium oxide is used in red phosphors in CRT and LED displays. Yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) crystals are used in lasers and in phosphors for HDTV screens.
Zirconium (Zr)
Zirconium is a strong metal used in nuclear reactors due to its low neutron absorption. It is also used in surgical instruments and dental implants because it is biocompatible. Zirconium dioxide (zirconia) is used in jewellery and industrial ceramics for its durability and refractive properties.
Niobium (Nb)
Niobium is a soft metal used in superconducting alloys and MRI machines. It is added to steel to improve strength, especially in pipelines and automotive steels. Niobium's superconducting properties also make it useful in particle accelerators and high-power magnets.
Molybdenum (Mo)
Molybdenum is a metal with a very high melting point, used to strengthen steel and alloys for high-temperature applications (like jet engines). It is also used in catalysts and in electronic applications as contacts. Molybdenum disulfide is used as a dry lubricant and in charcoal briquettes.
Technetium (Tc)
Technetium is the lightest element with no stable isotopes and is produced artificially. Technetium-99m is used in nuclear medicine as a radioactive tracer in diagnostic scans due to its short half-life. It has limited commercial use outside of medical imaging and research.
Ruthenium (Ru)
Ruthenium is a hard metal used to harden platinum and palladium in jewelry alloys. It is also used in electronics (hard disk platters) and as a chemical catalyst. Ruthenium's corrosion resistance makes it useful in electrical contacts and some solar cell materials.
Rhodium (Rh)
Rhodium is a rare, silvery-white metal used in catalytic converters to reduce vehicle emissions. It is also used in jewelry (often plating white gold) for a reflective, corrosion-resistant finish. Rhodium is one of the most expensive precious metals due to its rarity and industrial demand.
Palladium (Pd)
Palladium is a metal in the platinum group widely used in automotive catalytic converters to help reduce pollution. It is also used in jewelry and electronic components. Palladium's ability to absorb hydrogen is also of interest in hydrogen fuel storage research.
Silver (Ag)
Silver is a precious metal with the highest electrical conductivity of any metal. It is used in jewellery, photography (film), and electrical contacts. Silver compounds have antibacterial properties and are used in medical devices, wound dressings, and water purification.
Cadmium (Cd)
Cadmium is a soft metal used in rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries and in coatings for corrosion protection. It is also used in pigments for paints (cadmium yellow and red). Due to its toxicity, many uses of cadmium have been reduced or replaced with safer alternatives.
Indium (In)
Indium is a soft metal used to make indium tin oxide (ITO) for touchscreens and flat panel displays. It is also used in low-melting alloys and in some types of semiconductors. Indium's ability to wet glass and ceramics is useful in specialized electronics.
Tin (Sn)
Tin is a metal known for its use in solder (to join electronic components) and in tin cans (thin tin plating for steel cans to prevent corrosion). It forms alloys such as bronze (with copper) and pewter. Tin is also used in glassmaking to coat glass for reflective purposes.
Antimony (Sb)
Antimony is a brittle metalloid used in flame retardants and in lead-acid batteries to improve performance. It is also used in some semiconductor components and in alloys to strengthen lead for bullets and cable sheathing. Antimony compounds are used in fireworks and in certain types of glass.
Tellurium (Te)
Tellurium is a brittle metalloid often added to steel and copper to improve machinability. It is used in thermoelectric devices and in thin-film solar cells (like CdTe solar panels). Tellurium compounds can give blue or green colors to glass and ceramics.
Iodine (I)
Iodine is a nonmetal essential for human health (thyroid hormones) and is used to iodize table salt. It is also used as an antiseptic and in medical imaging (contrast media). Iodine vapor produces a violet glow in discharge lamps.
Xenon (Xe)
Xenon is a noble gas used in high-intensity lamps (such as camera flashes and car headlights). Xenon gas in bulbs produces a bright, white light. Xenon is also used in medical anesthesia and in spacecraft ion thrusters for propulsion.
Cesium (Cs)
Cesium is a soft metal that is liquid slightly above room temperature. It is used in atomic clocks due to its precise frequency standard, which keeps extremely accurate time. Cesium compounds are also used in photoelectric cells and in oil-drilling fluids for their density.
Barium (Ba)
Barium is a heavy alkaline earth metal used in X-ray imaging. Barium sulphate is opaque to X-rays and is used as a contrast agent to image the digestive tract. Barium compounds are also used in fireworks to produce green colors.
Lanthanum (La)
Lanthanum is a rare earth metal used in camera lenses and high-intensity carbon arc lamps (for film projectors). Lanthanum oxide is added to optical glass to improve refractive properties. It is also used in nickel-metal hydride battery electrodes.
Cerium (Ce)
Cerium is a rare earth metal used in catalytic converters for cars to reduce emissions. It is also used in glass polishing compounds and as a lighter fuel (ferrocerium flints). Cerium oxide is used to polish glass and to mask glass opacity.
Praseodymium (Pr)
Praseodymium is a rare earth metal used to create strong permanent magnets when alloyed with neodymium. It is also used in high-strength alloys for aircraft engines and in yellow-green lasers. Praseodymium compounds are used to tint glass and ceramics.
Neodymium (Nd)
Neodymium is a rare earth metal famous for its use in powerful permanent magnets (NdFeB magnets) in electric motors, hard drives, and headphones. It is also used in lasers and in specialty glasses. Neodymium-doped glass has a distinctive reddish hue and is used in infrared lasers.
Promethium (Pm)
Promethium is a radioactive rare earth element with no stable isotopes. It is found only in trace amounts on Earth and is produced in nuclear reactors. Promethium has been used in luminous paint and as a beta source in nuclear batteries for space equipment.
Samarium (Sm)
Samarium is a rare earth metal used in samarium-cobalt magnets, which maintain magnetism at high temperatures and are used in headphones, motors, and MRI machines. Samarium is also used in nuclear reactor control rods and in cancer treatment research (neutron capture therapy).
Europium (Eu)
Europium is a rare earth metal used in red and blue phosphors for color television and LED screens. Its compounds glow bright red or blue under ultraviolet light. Europium is also used in security features for banknotes due to its unique fluorescent properties.
Gadolinium (Gd)
Gadolinium is a rare earth metal with strong magnetic properties, used in MRI contrast agents to improve imaging quality. It is also used in some electronic devices and in nuclear reactor shielding. Gadolinium's neutron-absorbing ability makes it useful in nuclear control rods.
Terbium (Tb)
Terbium is a rare earth metal used in green phosphors for fluorescent lamps and cathode ray tube monitors. Terbium-doped materials produce green luminescence in color displays. It is also used in fuel cells and as an alloying agent in iron-chromium alloys.
Dysprosium (Dy)
Dysprosium is a rare earth metal used in high-performance magnets and in nuclear reactor control rods due to its high neutron absorption. It is used in laser materials and in data storage devices. Dysprosium is often alloyed with neodymium in permanent magnets for strong magnetic fields.
Holmium (Ho)
Holmium is a rare earth metal used in nuclear control rods and as a dopant in solid-state lasers that emit yellow or orange light. It has one of the highest magnetic strengths of any element at room temperature. Holmium oxide is used to color glass and cubic zirconia.
Erbium (Er)
Erbium is a rare earth metal used to dope optical fibers for telecommunications, amplifying signals in fiber optic cables. Erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) are critical for long-distance fiber optic communication. Erbium compounds also emit pink color in glass and lasers.
Thulium (Tm)
Thulium is a rare earth metal used in portable X-ray devices and high-temperature superconductors. It is one of the least abundant rare earths. Thulium-doped lasers have medical applications in treating tumours and skin lesions.
Ytterbium (Yb)
Ytterbium is a rare earth metal used in some stainless-steel alloys to improve grain refinement. It is also used in lasers (ytterbium-doped lasers) and as a doping agent in Fiber optics. Ytterbium ions are used in atomic clocks and portable X-ray sources.
Lutetium (Lu)
Lutetium is a rare earth metal used as a catalyst in chemical reactions (e.g., refining petroleum). It is also used in cancer treatment for positron emission tomography (PET) scanners. Lutetium compounds can produce strong luminescence in LED and Fiber optic applications.
Hafnium (Hf)
Hafnium is a metal with a high melting point used in nuclear reactor control rods because it efficiently absorbs neutrons. It is also used in superalloys for jet engine components. Hafnium oxide is used in microprocessors as a gate dielectric in transistors.
Tantalum (Ta)
Tantalum is a metal known for forming an inert oxide layer and resisting corrosion. It is widely used in electronic capacitors and high-power resistors. Tantalum is also used in surgical implants (due to biocompatibility) and in chemical process equipment that handles corrosive materials.
Tungsten (W)
Tungsten is the metal with the highest melting point of all elements. It is used for light bulb filaments, cutting tools, and high-speed machinery due to its hardness and heat resistance. Tungsten alloys are used in heavy metal alloys for radiation shielding and high-temperature applications like rocket nozzles.
Rhenium (Re)
Rhenium is a metal used in high-temperature superalloys for jet engine turbine blades. It is often combined with nickel or platinum to improve strength. Rhenium has one of the highest boiling points and is also used in catalysts for petroleum refining.
Osmium (Os)
Osmium is a very dense, hard metal known for its high melting point. It is used in fountain pen tips and electrical contacts where wear resistance is needed. Osmium tetroxide is used in electron microscopy as a staining agent (though it is highly toxic).
Iridium (Ir)
Iridium is an extremely hard, corrosion-resistant metal used in spark plugs, electrodes, and deep-water pipes that must withstand high pressure. It is used in the international kilogram standard alloy (iridium-platinum) and in crucibles for high-temperature applications. Iridium's stability makes it valuable for high-end electrical contacts.
Platinum (Pt)
Platinum is a precious metal used in catalytic converters to reduce vehicle emissions, and in laboratory equipment due to its stability and resistance to corrosion. It is also used in jewellery and in various industrial catalysts (e.g., in hydrogen fuel cells). Platinum catalysts are important in chemical reactions in the petroleum industry.
Gold (Au)
Gold is a malleable, shiny precious metal used in jewelry, electronics, and dentistry due to its resistance to corrosion. It has been used as currency and in finance for thousands of years. Gold nanoparticles are used in medical research and high-end electronics for their conductivity and biocompatibility.
Mercury (Hg)
Mercury is a liquid metal at room temperature, historically used in thermometers and barometers (now mostly replaced by safer alternatives). It is used in fluorescent lighting and some electrical switches. Mercury is highly toxic, and its use is restricted due to environmental and health concerns.
Thallium (Tl)
Thallium is a soft metal that was historically used in rat poisons and insecticides, but its toxicity has curtailed these uses. It is used in some electronic devices and as a dopant in glass manufacturing. Thallium salts can be used in medical imaging and radiation therapy research.
Lead (Pb)
Lead is a heavy metal that has been widely used in batteries (lead-acid batteries for cars), ammunition, and radiation shielding. Its use in paints and pipes has declined due to toxicity. Lead-acid batteries remain one of the largest uses of lead today, and lead shielding is used in X-ray protection.
Bismuth (Bi)
Bismuth is a brittle metal often used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals (for example, bismuth subsalicylate in Pepto-Bismol for stomach relief). It is also used in some solders and as a low-melting alloy with tin. Bismuth has a low toxicity compared to other heavy metals and has been used as a non-toxic replacement for lead in some applications.
Polonium (Po)
Polonium is a highly radioactive metal with few applications; it was historically used as a heat source in space satellites and in anti-static devices. Due to its intense radioactivity, polonium is extremely hazardous and handled only in specialized facilities. It has no stable uses in everyday products.
Astatine (At)
Astatine is a radioactive halogen that is extremely rare and has no significant commercial uses. It is produced in minute amounts in particle accelerators. Astatine-211 is being researched for targeted cancer radiotherapy because it can deliver alpha radiation to tumours.
Radon (Rn)
Radon is a radioactive noble gas that occurs naturally from the decay of radium. It can accumulate in buildings and poses a health hazard, as it is a leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Radon has been used in some types of cancer treatment, though safer alternatives are generally preferred.
Francium (Fr)
Francium is a highly radioactive alkali metal that is extremely rare in nature, existing only in trace amounts. It has no stable uses and is mostly of scientific interest. The most stable isotope, francium-223, has a half-life of only 22 minutes, which makes practical applications nearly impossible.
Radium (Ra)
Radium is a radioactive alkaline earth metal historically used in luminous paints (such as on watch dials) due to its glow, but these uses were stopped due to health hazards. Radium has been used in cancer treatment (radium therapy) and some early medical devices, but it is now largely replaced by safer materials.
Actinium (Ac)
Actinium is a radioactive element used in some types of radiation therapy for cancer (particularly alpha therapy) because it emits alpha particles. It glows blue in the dark due to its radioactivity. Actinium occurs in uranium ores and is used mainly in research and medicine.
Thorium (Th)
Thorium is a slightly radioactive metal found in small amounts in soils and ores. It was once considered as an alternative nuclear fuel (in thorium reactors) due to its abundance. Thorium dioxide is also used in high-quality camera lenses and scientific equipment due to its durability and high refractive index.
Protactinium (Pa)
Protactinium is a rare, radioactive element with no major commercial use due to its scarcity and radioactivity. It is used only in scientific research and is of interest for understanding nuclear decay processes. Protactinium was one of the last naturally occurring elements to be discovered.
Uranium (U)
Uranium is a radioactive metal used as the primary fuel in nuclear reactors and in nuclear weapons. When its atoms are split (fission), they release a tremendous amount of energy, powering nuclear power plants. Uranium is also used in some types of radiation shielding and in scientific research into nuclear physics.
Neptunium (Np)
Neptunium is a radioactive metal produced in nuclear reactors from plutonium. It is used in research and in some types of neutron detection equipment. Neptunium has been used to create plutonium in breeder reactors, but it has limited uses due to its radioactivity.
Plutonium (Pu)
Plutonium is a radioactive metal produced in nuclear reactors and used in nuclear weapons and reactors. It was used in the first atomic bombs and powers some space probes (Pu-238 in radioisotope thermoelectric generators). Plutonium's ability to undergo fission makes it important in nuclear energy and national defence.
Americium (Am)
Americium is a radioactive metal used in household smoke detectors (Americium-241) to detect smoke particles. It is produced in nuclear reactors and has few other commercial uses. Americium is also used in some industrial gauges and for research purposes.
Curium (Cm)
Curium is a radioactive metal used in research and has been used as a heat source in deep-space probes (as in radioisotope thermoelectric generators). It is produced in nuclear reactors and particle accelerators. Curium has no commercial uses beyond scientific study and space exploration.
Berkelium (Bk)
Berkelium is a synthetic radioactive element with no practical uses outside scientific research. It was discovered in nuclear reactors and is used only in laboratory experiments to study the properties of heavy elements. Its isotopes have short half-lives, limiting its applications.
Californium (Cf)
Californium is a radioactive metal used as a neutron source in nuclear reactors and for detecting minerals in oil wells. It is also used in medicine to treat certain cancers with neutron radiation. Californium-252 is known for being a powerful neutron emitter used in research and industry.
Last updated on: 16 June 2025, 18:00