How to Understand the Periodic Table of Metals

The periodic table is a scientific table that arranges the known metals into an easily read format. The periodic table is the cornerstone to chemistry and our understanding of how elements react to each other in nature. The first periodic table of metals was designed by Dmitri Mendeleev in 1869 and contained 65 of the known metals. The periodic table of metals now contains 117 elements or metals. Dmitri Mendeleev arranged the elements by atomic weight, with the heavier metal to the left and elements with similar chemical properties in the same column. The periodic table of metals also combines metals into similar groups. These groups are alkali metals, alkali earth metals, halogens, noble gases, transition metals, rare earth metals, other metals and other non-earth metals.

Instructions

1. 

   Begin by viewing the table. The rows are called periods and are listed in order of their atomic number from lowest to highest. The atomic number represents the number of protons found in the nucleus of their atoms. The columns are called groups. The groups are considered the most important means of identifying the metals. The groupings are called alkali metals, alkali earth metals, halogens, noble gases, transition metals, rare earth metals, other metals and other non-earth metals. The groups indicate similar chemical properties and the same type of electron configurations in their valence shell.
   The electrons in the outer shell are called valence electrons, which determine how reactive a metal is to other metals. The Roman numerals above each group of elements specify the usual number of valence electrons. The "a" and "b" included next to the Roman numerals determine where the electrons reside. Representative elements are "a" and their electrons reside in the "s" and "p" sub-levels. The non-representative elements are "b" and their electrons reside in the "d" and "f" sub-levels.

2. 

   Look at the table and find iron, or Fe. Fe stands for the Latin word ferrum. Fe has a series of numbers around it. To locate iron find it in group 8 VIIIb. Above the abbreviation of Fe is its atomic number, which is 26. Usually below the Fe is the atomic weight, which is 55.847. Some periodic tables vary to some degree in the information and configuration but the atomic number and atomic weight will be present.

3. Notice a separate group of metals at the bottom. This group is called the rare earth metals. Most of the rare earth metals are man made. There are 30 of these metals, and they reside in group 3 in rows 6 and 7. These metals comprise two series of metals called lanthanide and actinide.