How to Memorize the Periodic Table

The periodic table is always a useful tool, whether you want to use it to prepare for a test or to hone in on new knowledge. It is difficult to remember all 118 elements because each element has its own chemical symbol and atomic number. Fortunately, if you start learning early, you can memorize a few elements each day. Support tools, sentences and pictures will not only enhance memory but also help you enjoy learning. If you’re ready to test your skills, try playing some games or draw your own periodic table from memory.

Table of Contents

Learn the periodic table

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Identify the components of each element. In general, to learn the periodic table, you need to know the element name, chemical symbol, atomic number, and sometimes atomic weight. All are located in the element box on the periodic table. ^{[1] X Research Source}

The element name is the word associated with that element. It is usually printed in small letters below the symbol. For example, silver is the name of an element.
The chemical symbol consists of one or two letters representing the element. Those are the big letters in the cell. Ag is the chemical symbol for silver.
The atomic number is the number above the chemical symbol. It tells how many protons the element has. The periodic table is arranged by atomic number. The atomic number of silver is 47.
Atomic weight or atomic mass indicates the average size of an atom. This is the number below the chemical symbol. For example, the atomic weight of silver is 107.868.

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Learn a few elements every day. Start learning the first ten elements. Once you’ve mastered it, learn the next ten elements. Regularly review old elements while you learn new elements. Start learning early so you have time to memorize all 118 elements.

The first ten elements of the periodic table have atomic numbers from 1 to 10.

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Print out a periodic table. You should try to take it with you wherever you go. It’s better to print out multiple copies, put one on your desk, one in your backpack or purse, and carry the other with you at all times. ^{[2] X Research Source}

You can also use the digital version on your phone or tablet, but you’ll find it difficult to use at school or work.

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Make flashcards for each element. On one side write the element symbol such as Ag, S or Cu along with the atomic number. On the other side write the name of the element such as silver, sulfur or copper. You use these cards to test your knowledge yourself. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

If you want to know which group an element belongs to, you should also write the group symbol for that element on a flashcard. For example, you can write “Ne” on one side, and write “Neon, noble gas” on the other side.

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Divide the periodic table into smaller parts. You can split by row, column, atomic weight or simply easy to difficult. Find the division that works best for you and use it to break the board into easy-to-learn sections. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

You can divide the table by groups such as halogens, noble gases or alkaline earth metals. The group is arranged vertically by the numbers 1 to 14 located at the top of the periodic table.
The colored parts on the board are called elemental blocks. This is a way to help you remember the element’s position on the periodic table. For example, the element block f contains the elements in the middle of the periodic table.
The rows on the periodic table, called periods, are numbered one through seven.

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Review yourself during breaks or free time. Instead of studying for hours, try studying whenever you have free time. Learn while you’re on the bus, during lunch, or in line. You can: ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Flip through flashcards while eating.
Flip through the periodic table during TV commercials.
Mentally recite the elements to a tune while running or exercising.
Write the elements while waiting for dinner to finish cooking.

Use memory aids

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Use sentences to help you remember the elements. Come up with a short slogan, story, or event related to the sound or symbol of the element. You should choose short sentences to help remember the element’s name and symbol. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

For example, Argentina is named after the metal silver (Argentum or Ag) because when the Spaniards set foot on that land, they thought the country had a lot of silver.
Sometimes you can come up with something funny to remember the element — for example, “You’re aluminum” to help you remember the chemical symbol for aluminum is Al.
Copper is Cu. To remember it you can remember this sentence, “Cu Bo likes copper”.

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Write a word or phrase with the letters of the element. Use the letters of the chemical symbol to create a phrase that makes it easier for you to remember the element. You can also combine elements into a sequence to remember their order. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Those phrases don’t have to mean much. Their purpose is to help you remember the elements. For example, you can say “Brother Ca takes calcium” to remember that Ca is the chemical symbol for calcium.
To remember the order of the elements, think of a sentence where each word forms an element. For example, to learn Mg Al Si PS Cl Ar, you could say “bring me your shirt to town early”.

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Associate each element with an image. Pictures help you remember elements and element symbols faster than memorizing symbols. Assign an image to each element. Use whatever images make sense to you. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Use images related to that element. For example, for aluminum you can use an aluminum foil shape. For helium, you should think of balloons.
You can use pictures whose pronunciation is similar to the element. For example, you can use the barite ore image for the element barium (Ba).

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Memorize the periodic table song. You can compose your own song or find one on the internet. Look for the latest song as new elements have been added. ^{[9] X Research Source}

ASAPScience has a song updated with new elements.
There is a famous periodic table song called “The Elements” by Tom Lehrer.

Memory test

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Use memory to fill in the empty periodic table. Once you’ve learned a few days, find an empty periodic table on the internet and use your memory to fill in the elements in it. You then compare it with the normal periodic table to see how many elements are filled in correctly.

Advice

The sooner you start learning, the easier it is to remember the periodic table.
You can use periodic repetition software such as Mnemosyne, Anki or SuperMemo to aid in memorizing the elements.
Remember that the first letter of the chemical symbol is an uppercase letter, followed by a lowercase letter.

Steps

Learn the periodic table

Use memory aids

Memory test

Advice

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