Chemical elements make up the DNA of our universe. From the oxygen we breathe to the silicon in our devices, they are all represented on the periodic table. However, the periodic table can seem like an indecipherable map of symbols and numbers to many of us.
How can we make this atlas of the elements more accessible? Thanks to technology, there are some amazing apps out there, and while not all of them are free, they will help you learn and understand the periodic table easily. Let’s discover them together.
What is the periodic table?
Let’s start at the beginning. The periodic table of the elements is a systematic arrangement of the chemical elements, organized according to their properties and chemical behavior. It was developed by Dmitri Mendeleyev in 1869, who based his design on the relationship between the atomic mass of the elements and their chemical properties. However, in the modern version of the table, the elements are arranged based on their atomic number (that is, the number of protons in the nucleus of the atom) rather than their atomic mass.
The periodic table is divided into rows and columns., where each row represents a period and each column represents a group. There are 7 periods in total, which are horizontal, and 18 groups, which are vertical. Groups are especially important because elements that belong to the same group often share similar chemical properties because they have the same number of electrons in their outermost energy level.
It is further divided into blocks. The s block includes the two groups on the left (alkali and alkaline earth), the p block includes the six groups on the right (the boron to the helium groups), the d block includes the ten transition groups in the center of the table, and block f includes the lanthanides and actinides, which for reasons of space are usually placed separately, below the main body of the table.
In addition to providing a quick and easy way to identify the chemical properties of the elements, the periodic table also makes predictions about the elements that have not yet been discovered. In summary, it is a fundamental tool in chemistry and other sciences, which helps to understand the relationships, trends and properties of the elements, being an essential tool for any chemist or chemistry student.
Studying the periodic table can be a challenging task due to the amount of information it contains. However, thanks to the various applications that we have mentioned above, learning the periodic table can become a more interactive, visual and entertaining experience.
So don’t hesitate to try any of them and discover the wonderful world of chemical elements!
The best apps to learn the periodic table
From Soy de Mac we have analyzed several applications to be able to learn the Periodic Table of the Elements and from this we bring you the ones that we believe are the most useful for your learning.
- Elements Periodic Table
Elements Periodic Table app is a detailed periodic table library. Each item is explained in depth with details about its history, discovery, properties, and uses.
What sets it apart from other applications is the visually appealing presentation of information, complemented by high-quality graphics and images. Students can interact with the elements in a three-dimensional representation that offers an immersive experience. In addition, it has interactive games that make learning an entertaining process.
Without a doubt, this app is an indispensable learning tool for chemistry students and enthusiasts.
Atomidoodle combines the fun of a game with the education of the periodic table. Players must guide atoms through a maze, fusing them together to form elements. As players progress through the levels, more elements are introduced and the difficulty increases, helping players get familiar with the periodic table in a playful and challenging way. Unlike conventional quiz apps, Atomidoodle focuses on providing an interactive learning experience that can keep users engaged for longer.
- The Elements by Theodore Gray
The Elements by Theodore Gray stands out for its stunning visuals and rich content. Each item is presented with a real-world object that contains the item, providing users with tangible insight into how the items are used in daily life.
Users can rotate the objects in 3D and read detailed descriptions about each item. This app takes learning the periodic table to a whole new and captivating level.
Although Quizlet is not an app dedicated solely to the periodic table, it does have a wide range of user-created periodic table flashcards that will allow you to learn at your own pace.
The advantage of Quizlet is that you can customize your flashcards and focus on the areas you need to strengthen. In addition, its game design makes the study more interactive and fun.
ChemTable offers students a simple yet effective way to learn the periodic table. Each element is detailed with its properties, such as atomic number, atomic mass, and electronic configuration, among others.
Also, the app offers a quiz mode to assess the progress of students. ChemTable is perfect for those looking for a straightforward and easy learning experience.
Periodic Table Explorer is a comprehensive, open source application that provides detailed information about each element in the periodic table. It includes facts about the history of the element, its discovery, its uses, its properties and much more.
With its clean interface and wide range of information, Periodic Table Explorer is an excellent choice for those looking to deepen their knowledge of the periodic table.
Whether you’re just starting your periodic table learning journey or already well along on your way, there’s an app to suit your needs. Each of the apps mentioned here has its own strengths and offers a unique way to explore and learn the periodic table.
Which of these applications do you find the most attractive? Or maybe you are already using one of them? No matter your choice, each step you take on the path of learning will bring you closer to understanding the beauty and complexity of our universe. So why wait? Choose your app and start your periodic table learning adventure today!
