Each chemical element is characterized by the number of protons, Z, contained in the atomic nucleus. As of 2021, a total of 118 elements have been positively identified and assigned names and symbols. Elements can occur as two or more isotopes, differing in the number of neutrons, N, in the nucleus. An isotope is characterized by the sum of the protons and neutrons in its nucleus, which is called the mass number A = Z + N. Including those produced artificially, over 3000 isotopes have been identified, most of which are unstable to radioactive decay. A total of 288 stable isotopes of 84 elements exist on Earth.a
The table below summarizes key properties of the 118 elements as atomic entities. More detailed information can be found in the tables of atomic weights and physical properties. Individual descriptions of the elements follow the table. Column definitions for the table are as follows.
Column heading | Definition |
Element | Name of the element; elements are listed alphabetically |
Symbol | IUPAC symbol for the element |
Z | Atomic number (number of protons) |
Atomic wt. | Standard atomic weight; see also “Standard Atomic Weights” table in Section 1 |
CAS Reg. No. | Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number for the element |
State at NTP | Physical state of the element at normal room temperature (25 °C) and one atmosphere pressure (101.325 kPa); within parentheses are the molecular formula for a gas or the common phase name for a solid |
Primary valences | The primary valence (oxidation) states the elements in forming stoichiometric chemical compounds |
Mass no. of stable isotopes | Mass number (protons plus neutrons) of stable isotopes |
|
Name | Symbol | Z | CAS Reg. No. | Atomic wt. | State at NTP | Primary valences | Mass no. of stable isotopesa |
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Actinium | Ac | 89 | 7440-34-8 | sol | +3 | ||
Aluminum | Al | 13 | 7429-90-5 | 26.9815384(3) | sol | +3 | 27 |
Americium | Am | 95 | 7440-35-9 | sol | +3, +4, +5, +6 | ||
Antimony | Sb | 51 | 7440-36-0 | 121.760(1) | sol (gray Sb) | +3, +5 | 121, 123 |
Argon | Ar | 18 | 7440-37-1 | [39.792, 39.963] | gas | 0 | 36, 38, 40 |
Arsenic | As | 33 | 7440-38-2 | 74.921595(6) | sol (gray As) | +3, +5, -3 | 75 |
Astatine | At | 85 | 7440-68-8 | sol | |||
Barium | Ba | 56 | 7440-39-3 | 137.327(7) | sol | +2 | 130, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138 |
Berkelium | Bk | 97 | 7440-40-6 | sol (β form) | +3, +4 | ||
Beryllium | Be | 4 | 7440-41-7 | 9.0121831(5) | sol | +2 | 9 |
Bismuth | Bi | 83 | 7440-69-9 | 208.98040(1) | sol | +3, +5 | 209 |
Bohrium | Bh | 107 | 54037-14-8 | sol | +7 | ||
Boron | B | 5 | 7440-42-8 | [10.806, 10.821] | sol | +3 | 10, 11 |
Bromine | Br | 35 | 7726-95-6 | [79.901, 79.907] | liq (Br2) | +1, +5, -1 | 79, 81 |
Cadmium | Cd | 48 | 7440-43-9 | 112.414(4) | sol | +2 | 106, 108, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 116 |
Calcium | Ca | 20 | 7440-70-2 | 40.078(4) | sol | +2 | 40, 42, 43, 44, 46, 48 |
Californium | Cf | 98 | 7440-71-3 | sol | +3 | ||
Carbon | C | 6 | 7440-44-0 | [12.0096, 12.0106] | sol (graphite, diamond) | +2, +4, -4 | 12, 13 |
Cerium | Ce | 58 | 7440-45-1 | 140.116(1) | sol | +3, +4 | 136, 138, 140, 142 |