Free · GCSE Chemistry and Combined Science
GCSE periodic table
Laid out like the periodic table in GCSE exams, with relative atomic masses rounded the same way. Tap any element to see its atomic number, mass, group and electron arrangement, or pick a group to highlight it.
The periodic table
Sodium
Atomic number 11 · relative atomic mass 23 · Group 1, period 3
11 protons and 11 electrons in a neutral atom · electron arrangement 2,8,1
Each box shows the atomic (proton) number at the top, the symbol in the middle and the relative atomic mass at the bottom. Masses are rounded to whole numbers except chlorine and copper, and the lanthanides (58 to 71) and actinides (90 to 103) are left out, as on AQA’s exam table. [2] A number in brackets is for an element with no stable form. In the exam, always use the periodic table on your paper.
The groups you need for GCSE
Elements are arranged in order of atomic number. Columns are called groups, and elements in the same group have the same number of electrons in their outer shell, which is why they react in similar ways. [1]
Group 1: the alkali metals
Each atom has one electron in its outer shell. They react with oxygen, chlorine and water, and they get more reactive going down the group. [1]
Group 7: the halogens
Non-metals made of pairs of atoms, with seven outer electrons. Going down the group, melting and boiling points rise and reactivity falls. A more reactive halogen can push a less reactive one out of a salt solution. [1]
Group 0: the noble gases
Unreactive, because their atoms have a stable arrangement of electrons: eight in the outer shell, or two for helium. Boiling points rise going down the group. [1]
The transition metals (GCSE Chemistry)
The block between Groups 2 and 3, such as iron, copper and nickel. Many form ions with different charges, make coloured compounds and are useful as catalysts. [1]
Metals and non-metals
Most elements are metals. They sit to the left and towards the bottom of the table. Non-metals sit towards the right and the top. [1]
Questions about the periodic table
Do you get a periodic table in the GCSE exam?
Yes. AQA gives students a periodic table as an insert with its GCSE Chemistry and Combined Science papers. It shows the atomic number, symbol and relative atomic mass for each element, with a separate list of names.
Why are chlorine and copper not whole numbers?
On AQA’s exam table, relative atomic masses are rounded to the nearest whole number, except chlorine (35.5) and copper (63.5), which are given to one decimal place.
Why are some elements missing?
AQA’s GCSE table leaves out the lanthanides (atomic numbers 58 to 71) and the actinides (90 to 103). This page does the same, so it matches what you see in the exam.
What is the difference between atomic number and relative atomic mass?
The atomic number is the number of protons in an atom of the element, and it sets the order of the table. The relative atomic mass is an average of the masses of the element’s isotopes (atoms with different numbers of neutrons), taking account of how common each one is. That is why it is not always a whole number.
Which groups do I need to know for GCSE?
AQA’s GCSE specification covers Group 0 (the noble gases), Group 1 (the alkali metals) and Group 7 (the halogens), plus how metals and non-metals are arranged. GCSE Chemistry also covers the transition metals.
Related: GCSE Chemistry guideGCSE Combined Science guideGCSE physics equation sheet
Sources
- AQA, GCSE Chemistry (8462) specification, sections 4.1.2 (the periodic table) and 4.1.3 (transition metals).
- AQA, The Periodic Table of the Elements, exam insert for GCSE Chemistry and Combined Science (June 2022).
Relative atomic masses are standard atomic weights, rounded as on AQA’s table.
Chemistry clicking yet?
Our GCSE students typically improve by 2 grades over 12 weeks of weekly lessons (Brainhub student records, 2021–2026). Every family starts with a free 45-minute assessment.