Elements

Elements are the smallest units of matter that can’t be divided using chemical means. They are the building blocks of matter. Learn the names of the elements and get facts about them.

Element Families — Learn about element families on the periodic table. Learn how to identify each family and see its elements and properties.

Element Families on the Periodic Table

This entry was posted on November 2, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on November 8, 2021)

Periodic Table Flash Cards — These periodic table flash cards have essential facts for all 118 elements. The PDF is free and easy to print.

Periodic Table Flash Cards – Free Printable PDF Element Facts

This entry was posted on September 22, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on September 27, 2021)

Why Is Mercury a Liquid — Learn why mercury is a liquid at room temperature when most metals are solids.

Why Is Mercury a Liquid at Room Temperature?

This entry was posted on July 6, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on January 18, 2023)

Neutronium or Element 0 — Get the facts for neutronium or element zero with symbol Nu. Learn where this hypothetical element could fit on the periodic table.

Neutronium or Element Zero

This entry was posted on June 10, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 9, 2022)

Plutonium Facts — Get interesting plutonium facts. Plutonium is Pu with atomic number 94. Learn about the element's properties, uses, and sources.

Plutonium Facts (Pu or Atomic Number 94)

This entry was posted on May 11, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on May 28, 2021)

Gold Facts — Get interesting gold facts. Learn about gold's properties, uses, and sources. Find out why gold is so valuable.

Interesting Gold Facts

This entry was posted on May 6, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on August 31, 2021)

Noble Metals — Learn about the noble metals. Get their definition, see a list of noble metals, and learn about their properties.

What Are Noble Metals? – Definition and List

This entry was posted on February 27, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on May 6, 2021)

Lanthanide Series (Lanthanoids) — Get facts about the lanthanides, which are also called the lanthanoids. Learn the similarities of elements in this group.

Lanthanides Facts (Lanthanoids)

This entry was posted on February 4, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on June 23, 2021)

Densest or Heaviest Element on the Periodic Table — Learn about the heaviest or densest element on the periodic table. Understand why its density is so high.

What Is the Heaviest or Densest Element on the Periodic ...

This entry was posted on December 20, 2020 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on August 26, 2021)