1.0The 118 Elements: A Complete Guide to Symbols and Atomic Numbers

At the JEE level, chemistry is essentially a study of the basic building blocks of matter: chemical elements. To understand stoichiometry or chemical reactions or periodic properties of the elements, you need to understand the periodic table of the elements including the symbols and atomic numbers of all 118 known elements. This guide provides a complete list of all the elements that are easy to use as a reference tool for learning this vital topic.

2.0Introduction to Elements, Symbols, and Atomic Numbers

An element is a type of pure substance made of only one kind of atom. Each element consists of a uniquely identifiable atom with an atomic number (Z), which tells us the number of protons inside the nucleus of an atom of that element. The symbols are one- or two-letter representations of the element. For example, the element Hydrogen has an atomic number of 1 and the symbol H, and Helium has the symbol He and an atomic number of 2. The above three pieces of information must be, and indeed they are, non-negotiable for success in chemistry.

3.0Classification of 118 Elements

Periods and Groups

• 7 periods (rows) and 18 groups (columns).
• Elements in the same group have similar chemical properties.

Blocks of Elements

• s-block: Groups 1–2 → Alkali & Alkaline earth metals.
• p-block: Groups 13–18 → Non-metals, metalloids, halogens, noble gases.
• d-block: Groups 3–12 → Transition elements.
• f-block: Lanthanides & Actinides.

Metals, Non-metals, and Metalloids

• Metals: About 80% of elements (good conductors, malleable).
• Non-metals: Right side of periodic table (e.g., O, N, Cl).
• Metalloids: Show properties of both (e.g., B, Si, As).

4.0The Periodic Table: A Quick Refresher

The periodic table is a tabular arrangement of the chemical elements that are arranged by atomic number, electron configuration, and recurring chemical properties. The elements are organized in rows, called periods and columns, called groups.

The table is a powerful tool for predicting and understanding chemical behavior. Mastering the positions and properties of elements, especially in the s- and p-blocks, is vital for JEE.

5.0Complete List of 118 Elements: Groups 1-18

This section provides a complete, organized list of all 118 elements, including their symbols and atomic numbers.

Group 1: Alkali Metals

• H: Hydrogen (Z=1)
• Li: Lithium (Z=3)
• Na: Sodium (Z=11)
• K: Potassium (Z=19)
• Rb: Rubidium (Z=37)
• Cs: Cesium (Z=55)
• Fr: Francium (Z=87)

Group 2: Alkaline Earth Metals

• Be: Beryllium (Z=4)
• Mg: Magnesium (Z=12)
• Ca: Calcium (Z=20)
• Sr: Strontium (Z=38)
• Ba: Barium (Z=56)
• Ra: Radium (Z=88)

Groups 3-12: Transition Metals

• Sc: Scandium (Z=21)
• Ti: Titanium (Z=22)
• V: Vanadium (Z=23)
• Cr: Chromium (Z=24)
• Mn: Manganese (Z=25)
• Fe: Iron (Z=26)
• Co: Cobalt (Z=27)
• Ni: Nickel (Z=28)
• Cu: Copper (Z=29)
• Zn: Zinc (Z=30)
• And so on, up to Copernicium (Cn) with Z=112.

Group 13: Boron Family

• B: Boron (Z=5)
• Al: Aluminium (Z=13)
• Ga: Gallium (Z=31)
• In: Indium (Z=49)
• Tl: Thallium (Z=81)
• Nh: Nihonium (Z=113)

Group 14: Carbon Family

• C: Carbon (Z=6)
• Si: Silicon (Z=14)
• Ge: Germanium (Z=32)
• Sn: Tin (Z=50)
• Pb: Lead (Z=82)
• Fl: Flerovium (Z=114)

Group 15: Nitrogen Family

• N: Nitrogen (Z=7)
• P: Phosphorus (Z=15)
• As: Arsenic (Z=33)
• Sb: Antimony (Z=51)
• Bi: Bismuth (Z=83)
• Mc: Moscovium (Z=115)

Group 16: Chalcogens

• O: Oxygen (Z=8)
• S: Sulfur (Z=16)
• Se: Selenium (Z=34)
• Te: Tellurium (Z=52)
• Po: Polonium (Z=84)
• Lv: Livermorium (Z=116)

Group 17: Halogens

• F: Fluorine (Z=9)
• Cl: Chlorine (Z=17)
• Br: Bromine (Z=35)
• I: Iodine (Z=53)
• At: Astatine (Z=85)
• Ts: Tennessine (Z=117)

Group 18: Noble Gases

• He: Helium (Z=2)
• Ne: Neon (Z=10)
• Ar: Argon (Z=18)
• Kr: Krypton (Z=36)
• Xe: Xenon (Z=54)
• Rn: Radon (Z=86)
• Og: Oganesson (Z=118)

Lanthanides

• La: Lanthanum (Z=57) to Lu: Lutetium (Z=71)

Actinides

• Ac: Actinium (Z=89) to Lr: Lawrencium (Z=103)

How to Remember the First 30 Elements

For JEE, it is highly recommended to memorize the first 30 elements and their respective atomic numbers. Here's a helpful mnemonic device:

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6.0Key Facts About Elements 

• Atomic Number vs. Mass Number: The atomic number (Z) is the count of protons, while the mass number (A) is the sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom. For example, carbon-12 has Z=6 and A=12.
• Isotopes: Atoms of the same element with the same number of protons and different number of neutrons (and thus a different mass number) are called isotopes.
• Periodic Trends: The properties of elements (such as atomic radius, ionization enthalpy, and electronegativity) exhibit predictable trends across a period or down a group.