This table is designed to show the role(s) performed by each chemical element, in nature and in technology.
Z = Atomic numberSym. = SymbolPer. = PeriodGr. = Group
| Z | Sym. | Element | Per. | Gr. | Role(s) in nature (non-living and living) | Role(s) in technology (old and new) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | H | 1 | 1 | Astronomy: source of power by nuclear fusion (proton–proton chain reaction and CNO cycle) Biology: One of the most common elements in living organisms | Petrochemical industry hydrodealkylation, hydrodesulfurization | ||
| 2 | He | 1 | 18 | Astronomy: source of power by nuclear fusion (alpha process and triple-alpha process) | |||
| 3 | Li | 2 | 1 | Ceramics and glass: flux, component of ovenware Electricity and electronics: batteries Various industries: lubricating greases | |||
| 4 | Be | 2 | 2 | Radiography radiation windows | |||
| 5 | B | 2 | 13 | Ceramics and glass: borosilicate glass Cleaning products: detergents and bleaches Insecticides: boric acid Electronics: semiconductors | |||
| 6 | C | 2 | 14 | Fossil fuels: coal, methane and petroleum Textile industry: cellulose Metallurgy: alloys, especially carbon steel | |||
| 7 | N | 2 | 15 | Bacteria and archaea: nitrogen fixation by diazotrophs All forms of life on Earth: essential component of amino acids and of nucleic acids Earth's atmosphere, soil, and life forms: nitrogen cycle See also: CHON. | Chemical industry nitrogen fixation by the Haber process | ||
| 8 | O | 2 | 16 | Animals: inhaled in respiration Plants: exhaled in respiration; Biology: one of the most common elements in living organisms | Metallurgy smelting of iron ore into steel | ||
| 9 | F | 2 | 17 | Various industries: fluorocarbons and derivatives as refrigerants and as anaesthetics Aluminium production: cryolite as solvent | |||
| 10 | Ne | 2 | 18 | Signage: neon signs Electronics: vacuum tubes | |||
| 11 | Na | 3 | 1 | See also: Sodium in biology. | |||
| 12 | Mg | 3 | 2 | All life forms: essential catalyst for using and making DNA and RNA Plants: photosynthesis See also: Magnesium in biology. | Metallurgy aluminium alloys, production of iron, steel, and titanium | ||
| 13 | Al | 3 | 13 | ||||
| 14 | Si | 3 | 14 | Earth's crust: silicate minerals Diatoms, radiolaria, and siliceous sponges: biogenic silica as a structural material | Construction: Portland cement, concrete Electronics: semiconductors | ||
| 15 | P | 3 | 15 | Biology: structure of DNA and RNA part of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) structure of bones and teeth | Agriculture: fertilizers | ||
| 16 | S | 3 | 16 | Biology: part of the amino acids cysteine and methionine, and of all polypeptides, proteins, and enzymes that contain them See also: Sulfur assimilation. | Agriculture: fertilizers, fungicides, and pesticides | ||
| 17 | Cl | 3 | 17 | ||||
| 18 | Ar | 3 | 18 | ||||
| 19 | K | 4 | 1 | Animals: neuron function, electrolyte balance See also: Potassium in biology. | Agriculture: fertilizers | ||
| 20 | Ca | 4 | 2 | Animals: structure of bones and teeth See also: Calcium in biology. | Construction: cements and mortars | ||
| 21 | Sc | 4 | 3 | ||||
| 22 | Ti | 4 | 4 | ||||
| 23 | V | 4 | 5 | ||||
| 24 | Cr | 4 | 6 | ||||
| 25 | Mn | 4 | 7 | ||||
| 26 | Fe | 4 | 8 | ||||
| 27 | Co | 4 | 9 | ||||
| 28 | Ni | 4 | 10 | ||||
| 29 | Cu | 4 | 11 | See also: Copper in health. | |||
| 30 | Zn | 4 | 12 | ||||
| 31 | Ga | 4 | 13 | ||||
| 32 | Ge | 4 | 14 | ||||
| 33 | As | 4 | 15 | See also: Arsenic biochemistry. | |||
| 34 | Se | 4 | 16 | ||||
| 35 | Br | 4 | 17 | ||||
| 36 | Kr | 4 | 18 | ||||
| 37 | Rb | 5 | 1 | ||||
| 38 | Sr | 5 | 2 | ||||
| 39 | Y | 5 | 3 | ||||
| 40 | Zr | 5 | 4 | ||||
| 41 | Nb | 5 | 5 | ||||
| 42 | Mo | 5 | 6 | ||||
| 43 | Tc | 5 | 7 | ||||
| 44 | Ru | 5 | 8 | ||||
| 45 | Rh | 5 | 9 | ||||
| 46 | Pd | 5 | 10 | ||||
| 47 | Ag | 5 | 11 | ||||
| 48 | Cd | 5 | 12 | ||||
| 49 | In | 5 | 13 | ||||
| 50 | Sn | 5 | 14 | ||||
| 51 | Sb | 5 | 15 | ||||
| 52 | Te | 5 | 16 | ||||
| 53 | I | 5 | 17 | See also: Iodine in biology. | |||
| 54 | Xe | 5 | 18 | ||||
| 55 | Cs | 6 | 1 | ||||
| 56 | Ba | 6 | 2 | ||||
| 57 | La | 6 | 3 | ||||
| 58 | Ce | 6 | 3 | ||||
| 59 | Pr | 6 | 3 | ||||
| 60 | Nd | 6 | 3 | ||||
| 61 | Pm | 6 | 3 | ||||
| 62 | Sm | 6 | 3 | ||||
| 63 | Eu | 6 | 3 | ||||
| 64 | Gd | 6 | 3 | ||||
| 65 | Tb | 6 | 3 | ||||
| 66 | Dy | 6 | 3 | ||||
| 67 | Ho | 6 | 3 | ||||
| 68 | Er | 6 | 3 | ||||
| 69 | Tm | 6 | 3 | ||||
| 70 | Yb | 6 | 3 | ||||
| 71 | Lu | 6 | 3 | ||||
| 72 | Hf | 6 | 4 | ||||
| 73 | Ta | 6 | 5 | ||||
| 74 | W | 6 | 6 | ||||
| 75 | Re | 6 | 7 | ||||
| 76 | Os | 6 | 8 | ||||
| 77 | Ir | 6 | 9 | ||||
| 78 | Pt | 6 | 10 | ||||
| 79 | Au | 6 | 11 | ||||
| 80 | Hg | 6 | 12 | ||||
| 81 | Tl | 6 | 13 | ||||
| 82 | Pb | 6 | 14 | ||||
| 83 | Bi | 6 | 15 | ||||
| 84 | Po | 6 | 16 | ||||
| 85 | At | 6 | 17 | ||||
| 86 | Rn | 6 | 18 | ||||
| 87 | Fr | 7 | 1 | ||||
| 88 | Ra | 7 | 2 | ||||
| 89 | Ac | 7 | 3 | ||||
| 90 | Th | 7 | 3 | ||||
| 91 | Pa | 7 | 3 | ||||
| 92 | U | 7 | 3 | ||||
| 93 | Np | 7 | 3 | ||||
| 94 | Pu | 7 | 3 | ||||
| 95 | Am | 7 | 3 | ||||
| 96 | Cm | 7 | 3 | ||||
| 97 | Bk | 7 | 3 | ||||
| 98 | Cf | 7 | 3 | ||||
| 99 | Es | 7 | 3 | ||||
| 100 | Fm | 7 | 3 | ||||
| 101 | Md | 7 | 3 | ||||
| 102 | No | 7 | 3 | ||||
| 103 | Lr | 7 | 3 | ||||
| 104 | Rf | 7 | 4 | ||||
| 105 | Db | 7 | 5 | ||||
| 106 | Sg | 7 | 6 | ||||
| 107 | Bh | 7 | 7 | ||||
| 108 | Hs | 7 | 8 | ||||
| 109 | Mt | 7 | 9 | ||||
| 110 | Ds | 7 | 10 | ||||
| 111 | Rg | 7 | 11 | ||||
| 112 | Cn | 7 | 12 | ||||
| 113 | Nh | 7 | 13 | ||||
| 114 | Fl | 7 | 14 | ||||
| 115 | Mc | 7 | 15 | ||||
| 116 | Lv | 7 | 16 | ||||
| 117 | Ts | 7 | 17 | ||||
| 118 | Og | 7 | 18 |