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Quizzes > Science

Periodic Table Trivia Quiz

Quick, free chemistry elements quiz with instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Charles CocozzaUpdated Aug 27, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art periodic table with element symbols and names on dark blue background quiz challenge

This periodic table trivia quiz helps you check your recall of element names, symbols, groups, and atomic numbers in minutes. Want more ways to review? Try the periodic table quiz, sharpen notation with the element symbol quiz, or build skills through periodic table practice.

What is the chemical symbol for gold?
Ag
Go
Au
Gd
Golds chemical symbol is Au, derived from the Latin word Aurum meaning shining dawn. This symbol is universally used in chemistry to represent gold. Ag is the symbol for silver, Gd for gadolinium, and Go is not an element symbol. Recognizing Latin roots helps in memorizing element symbols.
Which element has atomic number 1?
Lithium
Hydrogen
Helium
Oxygen
Hydrogen is the lightest element and has atomic number 1 because it has a single proton in its nucleus. Helium, lithium, and oxygen have atomic numbers 2, 3, and 8 respectively. Atomic number uniquely identifies each element on the periodic table. Understanding atomic numbers is fundamental when learning element positions.
What is the atomic number of oxygen?
2
6
8
16
Oxygen has eight protons in its nucleus, giving it the atomic number 8 on the periodic table. Atomic mass (approximately 16) is different from atomic number and counts protons plus neutrons. The number 6 corresponds to carbon, and 2 to helium. Knowing atomic numbers helps predict element properties and placement.
Which element is represented by the symbol 'Na'?
Sodium
Neon
Nickel
Nitrogen
Na is the chemical symbol for sodium, originating from the Latin name 'natrium'. Nitrogen is N, neon is Ne, and nickel is Ni. Latin and Greek roots often influence element symbols. Understanding these roots makes it easier to recall element symbols.
What is the heaviest naturally occurring element?
Gold
Lead
Uranium
Plutonium
Uranium (atomic number 92) is the heaviest element that occurs naturally in measurable quantities. Plutonium (94) is primarily synthetic, although trace amounts can form in uranium ores. Lead and gold have lower atomic numbers of 82 and 79 respectively. Uraniums natural occurrence makes it important for nuclear energy.
What element has the chemical symbol 'Fe'?
Iron
Fluorine
Francium
Fermium
Fe is the symbol for iron, derived from the Latin name 'ferrum'. Fluorine is F, francium is Fr, and fermium is Fm. Iron is one of the most abundant metals in Earths crust and essential in steel manufacturing. Knowing Latin-derived symbols helps avoid confusion among similar letters.
Which element is a noble gas?
Nitrogen
Neon
Chlorine
Sodium
Neon is a noble gas in group 18, characterized by its inertness and full valence electron shell. Chlorine is a halogen, nitrogen is a diatomic nonmetal in group 15, and sodium is an alkali metal. Noble gases are nonreactive due to stable electron configurations. Their low reactivity makes them useful in lighting and other applications.
What is the atomic number of carbon?
12
14
6
4
Carbon has six protons in its nucleus, giving it atomic number 6. Carbon-12 and carbon-14 refer to isotopes differentiated by neutron count, not atomic number. The number 4 corresponds to beryllium, and 12 and 14 are mass numbers rather than atomic numbers. Atomic number determines an elements identity.
Which element has the highest electronegativity on the Pauling scale?
Chlorine
Nitrogen
Oxygen
Fluorine
Fluorine is the most electronegative element with a Pauling value of 3.98, making it highly effective at attracting electrons in bonds. Oxygen follows with 3.44, then chlorine at 3.16. Electronegativity trends increase across a period and decrease down a group. This concept helps predict bond polarity.
What is the common oxidation state of aluminum in compounds?
+1
+2
+3
0
Aluminum typically loses three electrons to attain a stable octet, resulting in a +3 oxidation state in most of its compounds. Lower oxidation states like +1 or +2 are rare and less stable. Metallic aluminum itself is in the 0 oxidation state. Recognizing common oxidation states aids in writing chemical formulas.
Which element, besides mercury, is a liquid at room temperature?
Bromine
Gallium
Francium
Cesium
Bromine is the only nonmetal that is liquid at standard conditions (20 C), in addition to mercury which is a metal. Gallium melts near 30 C, cesium at 28 C, and francium is highly radioactive with no stable bulk measurements. Bromines liquid state is due to relatively weak diatomic bonds.
Which halogen is the most reactive?
Bromine
Chlorine
Iodine
Fluorine
Fluorine is the most reactive halogen because it has the highest electronegativity and smallest atomic radius, making it extremely effective at attracting electrons. Reactivity decreases down the group as atomic size increases. Chlorine, bromine, and iodine follow in decreasing order of reactivity. This trend is critical for halogen chemistry and industrial processes.
Which element has the electron configuration [Ne]3s2?
Sodium
Sulfur
Aluminum
Magnesium
Magnesium has the ground-state electron configuration [Ne]3s2, filling the 3s orbital with two electrons after neon. Aluminum would be [Ne]3s2 3p1, sulfur [Ne]3s2 3p4, and sodium [Ne]3s1. Electron configurations help predict chemical behavior and periodic trends.
Which group on the periodic table contains the alkaline earth metals?
Group 2
Group 18
Group 17
Group 1
Alkaline earth metals occupy group 2 of the periodic table and include beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and radium. Group 1 contains alkali metals, group 17 halogens, and group 18 noble gases. Group numbers reflect similar valence electron configurations within each column. Recognizing groups is crucial for predicting reactivity.
Which element is commonly used as shielding material in nuclear reactors?
Carbon
Lead
Zinc
Aluminum
Lead is used for radiation shielding in nuclear reactors because of its high density and atomic number, which effectively attenuate gamma rays and X-rays. Aluminum and carbon are much less dense and provide less protection. Zinc has limited use in shielding compared to lead. Selecting appropriate shielding materials is essential for safety in nuclear facilities.
Which radioactive isotope is commonly used in carbon dating?
Carbon-13
Carbon-14
Carbon-11
Carbon-12
Carbon-14 is a radioactive isotope used in radiocarbon dating due to its half-life of about 5,730 years, which is suitable for archaeological timescales. Carbon-12 and carbon-13 are stable isotopes, and carbon-11 has a very short half-life (~20 minutes). Measuring the ratio of carbon-14 to carbon-12 in organic materials reveals their age. Radiocarbon dating revolutionized archaeology and geology.
What is the name of the element with atomic number 113?
Nihonium
Flerovium
Copernicium
Roentgenium
Element 113 is named nihonium (Nh), derived from 'Nihon', the Japanese word for Japan, where it was first synthesized. Roentgenium is element 111, copernicium is 112, and flerovium is 114. Recognizing recent element discoveries requires staying updated with IUPAC naming conventions.
Which element forms an amphoteric oxide and commonly exhibits a +3 oxidation state?
Aluminum
Iron
Zinc
Calcium
Aluminum oxide (Al?O?) is amphoteric, reacting with both acids and bases, and aluminum commonly exhibits a +3 oxidation state. Calcium oxide is basic, iron oxides vary but are not amphoteric in the same way, and zinc oxide is also amphoteric but zinc has a +2 oxidation state. Recognizing amphoteric behavior helps predict reactivity in different environments.
Which lanthanide is named after the city of Stockholm, Sweden?
Holmium
Gadolinium
Erbium
Ytterbium
Holmium (Ho) is named after 'Holmia', the Latin name for Stockholm, where it was discovered. Erbium and ytterbium derive from the village Ytterby, and gadolinium is named after chemist Johan Gadolin. Many lanthanides reference their discovery sites in their names.
What is the oxidation state of manganese in the permanganate ion (MnO??)?
+2
+4
+6
+7
In MnO??, oxygen has an oxidation state of -2 each, totaling -8. To balance to -1 for the ion, manganese must be +7. States +6 and +4 occur in other manganese oxides, and +2 in manganous compounds. Determining oxidation states is key for redox chemistry.
Which element is named after the Norse god of thunder?
Zeusium
Jovium
Odinum
Thorium
Thorium (Th, atomic number 90) is named after Thor, the Norse god of thunder. Zeusium and Jovium are not official element names, and Odinum is fictitious. Thorium was discovered by Jns Jakob Berzelius and officially named in the 19th century. Mythological references are common in element naming.
Which element has the highest first ionization energy?
Oxygen
Fluorine
Helium
Neon
Helium has the highest first ionization energy because its small atomic radius and strong nuclear charge tightly hold its two electrons. Neon and fluorine follow, but their larger size and electron shielding reduce the ionization energy slightly. Oxygen is lower yet. Ionization energy trends increase across periods and decrease down groups.
Which transition metal is liquid at or near room temperature?
Cesium
Mercury
Gallium
Bromine
Mercury is the only transition metal that is liquid at room temperature (melting point ?38.83 C). Gallium melts just above room temperature (~30 C) but is not a transition metal. Cesium and bromine are liquid at or near room conditions but are an alkali metal and a halogen, respectively. Mercurys liquid state made it historically important in thermometers.
Which element is most abundant in the Earth's crust by mass?
Aluminum
Iron
Silicon
Oxygen
Oxygen makes up about 46% of the Earth's crust by mass, primarily bonded in oxides and silicates. Silicon is the next most abundant at ~28%. Aluminum and iron follow but in lower proportions. Crustal composition reflects elemental abundance and geochemical processes.
Which element has a 'doubly magic' stable isotope with 82 protons and 126 neutrons?
Calcium
Helium
Tin
Lead
Lead-208 has 82 protons and 126 neutrons, both magic numbers that confer extra nuclear stability, making it a 'doubly magic' nucleus. Helium-4 is also doubly magic but not with 82 and 126. Calcium and tin do not match these protonneutron counts. Understanding magic numbers is crucial in nuclear chemistry and physics.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Element Names and Symbols -

    After completing the periodic table quiz, pinpoint each chemical element by its official name and one- or two-letter symbol from Hydrogen to Oganesson.

  2. Recall Atomic Numbers -

    Effortlessly recall and match atomic numbers to their corresponding elements, reinforcing your grasp of the atomic number quiz in an engaging, interactive format.

  3. Match Elements to Their Positions -

    Navigate the quiz interface to accurately align elements with their correct group and period locations, strengthening your understanding of periodic table trivia.

  4. Analyze Periodic Trends -

    Observe patterns in element properties - such as atomic radius and electronegativity - to deepen your chemical elements trivia insights.

  5. Assess and Track Your Element IQ -

    Evaluate your performance with a real-time score, then review missed questions to monitor progress and challenge yourself to achieve a perfect score.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Understanding Periodic Table Layout -

    The periodic table organizes elements by increasing atomic number (Z), grouping elements with similar properties into columns known as groups. Periods (rows) reflect electron shell number, meaning Hydrogen (Z=1) sits alone in period 1 while Neon (Z=10) completes the second shell (1s2 2s2 2p6). Recognizing these groups and periods sets a solid foundation for any periodic table quiz challenge.

  2. Recognizing Periodic Trends -

    Key trends include atomic radius decreasing across a period (left to right) and increasing down a group, while ionization energy and electronegativity exhibit opposite behaviors. For example, fluorine (Group 17, Period 2) has a small radius and high electronegativity, making it a powerful oxidizer. These periodic table trivia facts are essential for predicting element behavior in compounds.

  3. Mastering Electron Configurations -

    Electron configurations follow the Aufbau principle, Hund's rule, and the Pauli exclusion principle to fill orbitals (e.g., Oxygen is 1s2 2s2 2p4). Familiarity with configurations helps in an atomic number quiz by linking Z to electron arrangement and chemical reactivity. Practice writing configurations for elements up to Argon (Z=18) to boost confidence in complex element identification.

  4. Distinguishing Element Categories -

    Main-group elements (s- and p-block) like alkali metals (Group 1) and halogens (Group 17) often display predictable valences, while d-block transition metals show variable oxidation states. For instance, iron can be Fe2+ or Fe3+, adding depth to chemical elements trivia. Knowing these categories supports faster recall during an elements quiz.

  5. Applying Mnemonics and Memory Aids -

    Memorize the first ten elements with a phrase like "Happy Henry Likes Beer, But Could Not Obtain Food Now" for H, He, Li, Be, B, C, N, O, F, Ne. Combine it with a memory palace or flashcards to enhance retention for your periodic table quiz. These mnemonic tricks, backed by educational research, turn rote memorization into an engaging learning game.

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