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periodic table

/ˌˈpɪriˌɑdɪk ˌteɪbəl/
/piriˈɒdɪk ˈteɪbəl/
IPA guide

Other forms: periodic tables

The periodic table is a chart showing all the elements, the building blocks of the matter around you. If there’s one thing people remember from chemistry class, it’s the periodic table.

Something that is periodic repeats at regular intervals. The periodic table shows how chemical properties are periodic — that is, they reoccur in different elements according to regular patterns in nature. Sure, the periodic table may look like a confusing, somewhat lopsided grid, but now you know there’s a method to the madness.

Definitions of periodic table
  1. noun
    (chemistry) a tabular arrangement of the chemical elements according to atomic number as based on the periodic law
    see moresee less
    type of:
    table, tabular array
    a set of data arranged in rows and columns
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