Section 1
The History of the Periodic Table
Book
Version 33
By Boundless
By Boundless
Boundless Chemistry
Chemistry
by Boundless
6 concepts
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/9645/raw/periodic-table.jpg)
Development of the Periodic Table
The periodic table is a methodical arrangement of the chemical elements, organized on the basis of their electron configurations.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/9678/square/aufbau.jpg)
Periods 1 through 3
Elements of the same period have the same number of electron shells.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/9685/square/aufbau.jpg)
Transition Metals
The d-block elements are commonly known as transition metals or transition elements.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/9687/raw/odic-table-28polyatomic-29.jpg)
The Bottom of the Periodic Table
The periodic table currently contains 7 periods, but theorists predict that two additional periods may exist.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/9754/square/shell-20of-20first-2018.jpg)
Periodic Table Position and Electron Configuration
The position of elements on the periodic table is directly related to their electron configurations.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/32479/square/ginfhz3oqz2xmsuhzwak.jpg)
Electron Configuration of Cations and Anions
The elements on the periodic table exhibit different levels of reactivity based on the number of electrons in their highest energy shells.