periodic table

[ peer-ee-od-ik, peer- ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a table illustrating the periodic system, in which the chemical elements, formerly arranged in the order of their atomic weights and now according to their atomic numbers, are shown in related groups.

periodic table

/ ˌpɪərɪˈɒdɪk /

noun

1. a table of the elements, arranged in order of increasing atomic number, based on the periodic law. Elements having similar chemical properties and electronic structures appear in vertical columns (groups)

Periodic Table

1. A table in which the chemical elements are arranged in order of increasing atomic number. Elements with similar properties are arranged in the same column (called a group), and elements with the same number of electron shells are arranged in the same row (called a period).

Word History and Origins

Origin of periodic table¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Fluorine is perhaps one of the most controversial elements on the periodic table.

From Salon

Quarks and gluons are the fundamental building blocks of protons and neutrons -- elementary particles that combined to forge the basic elements of the periodic table.

From Science Daily

As the lightest element in the periodic table, hydrogen rises and collects in a cloud under the tunnel ceiling.

From Science Daily

Most rare earth elements are lanthanides, elements from 57 -- lanthanum -- to 71 -- lutetium -- on the periodic table.

From Science Daily

As a first test of their new technique, the team used atoms of dysprosium -- a rare-earth metal that is one of the strongest magnetic elements in the periodic table, particularly at ultracold temperatures.

From Science Daily