What is an easy way to remember the elements of the periodic table?

Question

I'm finding it difficult to memorise all the elements, symbols, atomic numbers and such.. help, please?

Answer 1

The way that I learned the elements, symbols, atomic numbers, and atomic masses were just by continually using them.  In no time you'll know that Cl is chlorine, it's got the atomic number of 17, an atomic mass of 35.45 g/mol, and that you shouldn't breathe it.

Repetition is the quickest way to learn them.

You could always try the Elements Song.

Answer 2

no easy way like "my very educated mother..."

if you have to memorize, just keep pounding it in.

Answer 3

Taking time to thoroughly look at the periodic table and understand its organization can really help.  If you can build a mental picture, you have an easier time.  Really, the first twenty elements are more essential, and then perhaps some of the transition metals like lead, iron, gold, silver, mercury.  It doesn't make much sense to memorize the rare-earth elements like bohrium or whatever, who really cares??  Here's a mnemonic I gave someone else for remembering the first twenty in order:

For all the Hims & Hers -

Little Betty Bright Child Nurses Our Friends Neatly. Nasty Maggy Always Sings Pop Songs Clearly Around Kirsty Carol.

It all corresponds to the following -

H : Hydrogen

He : Helium

Li : Lithium

Be : Beryllium

B : Boron

C : Carbon

N : Nitrogen

O : Oxygen

F : Fluorine

Ne : Neon

Na : Sodium

Mg : Magnesium

Al : Aluminium / Aluminum

Si : Silicon

P : Phosphorous

S : Sulfur

Cl : Chlorine

Ar : Argon

K : Potassium

Ca : Calcium

Keep track of the oddballs... like Na, K, W (tungsten).  A lot of these have that symbol because of a Latin root, so if you do some research on those elements maybe you'll have more to remember about them.

Don't memorize atomic numbers, for most tests you are given the periodic table anyway.  The only ones I remember by heart are H, C, N, O, Cl, Na.  That's all I've ever needed and I majored in Chemical Engineering.

Answer 4

for gold (Au) remember this phrase. Ay u  give me back my gold watch. get it... (A)  (u) ------gold watch. hope this helps