There are over one hundred different elements, which include substances such as iron, magnesium, oxygen and carbon. All the different elements are arranged in a chart called the periodic table.
The horizontal rows are called periods.
The vertical columns are called groups.
The main groups are numbered from 1 to 7 going from left to right, and the last group on the right is group 0.
One non-metal, hydrogen, is often put in the middle.
The zig-zag line separates metals from non-metals.
The metal elements are on the left and the non-metal elements are on the right. Hydrogen is a non-metal but it is often put in the middle.
Notice that most elements are metals, rather than non-metals.
Each element has its own chemical symbol, made from letters. Remember that you will only find elements in the periodic table and never compounds. So don't try to look for substances like water and copper sulphate in the periodic table, because they are not there!
