Elements are the building blocks of all matter. The elements are listed the Periodic table according to increasing Atomic Numbers or number of protons in the nucleus.

The following flash tutorial will help you to see some of the patterns in the Periodic table

The Periodic Table lists all of the known elements.

The rows of the Periodic Table are called periods.

The columns of the Periodic Table are called groups.

Elements in the same group have similar chemical and physical properties.

Group 1 is called the alkali metals. They have a low density and all react violently with water.

Group 8 or 18 is called the noble gases. They are all gases at room temperature and pressure and are chemically inert. They are very stable due to a complete arrangement of electrons in the outer shell.

The elements are arranged in the Periodic Table according to

1. increasing Atomic Number which is the number of protons in the nucleus.

2. In groups or columns that have similar chemical and physical properties.

3. With metals on the left hand side and non-metals on the upper right hand side.