Home  >  News & Articles  >  List of First 20 Elements of the Periodic Table with Atomic Number and Symbols

Nikita Parmar

Updated on 21st August, 2023 , 6 min read

List of First 20 Elements of the Periodic Table with Atomic Number and Symbols

Introduction to Periodic Table 

The first 20 elements of the periodic table provide a good overview of the different element groupings. The first 20 elements are commonly encountered in chemical reactions. Metals found in the first twenty elements include lithium, beryllium, sodium, magnesium, aluminum, potassium, and calcium. Non-metals found in the first twenty elements are hydrogen, helium, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, neon, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, and argon.

What are Elements?

An element is a pure material composed of only one type of atom. Elements cannot be physically or chemically separated into two or simpler things. There are now 118 elements that have been identified. The first 94 elements are naturally occurring, whereas the last 24 are man-made elements. IUPAC has assigned distinct symbols to each element to symbolize it. For example, hydrogen is represented by H, oxygen by O, and so on. The number of protons in each element's atomic nucleus determines its identity. A new element can be created by adding more protons to an atom.

Read more about the Displacement Reaction Definition, F Block in Periodic Table, Nitride, and SI Unit of Displacement.

Importance and Uses of the first 20 elements in the periodic table

The first 20 elements of the periodic table are seen to be the most important and have a wide range of uses in daily life. The significance of some of the first 20 components is listed below-

  1. Aluminum (Al): It is pliable and soft, aluminum is used to make a variety of things such as kitchenware, airplane components, window frames, and so on.
  2. Calcium (Ca): Calcium aids in bone strength maintenance.
  3. Carbon (C): It accounts for 18% of the human body. Carbon may be found in protein, sugar, and other important molecules like glucose. Carbon may also be found in fossil fuels such as petroleum, CNG, and others.
  4. Oxygen (O): Oxygen is required for breathing. The energy-producing process that governs the metabolisms of most living species is respiration. Humans, like many other living things, require oxygen to breathe. Oxygen is produced during the photosynthesis process in plants and other microbes.
  5. Phosphorus (P): In the military, phosphorus is utilized to produce weaponry (white phosphorus). Phosphorus is a component of ATP, our body's energy currency.
  6. Silicon (Si): It is a semiconductor that is utilized in computer chips.

Related Articles-

Difference between solid, liquid and gas

Difference Between Manures and Fertilizers

Difference Between Soap and Detergent

Importance of Atomic Numbers in a Periodic Table

Before delving into the significance of an atomic number of elements, consider the following definitions-

  1. Atomic number: The number of protons in the nucleus is indicated by the atomic number. For example, oxygen has an atomic number of 8. The atomic number of oxygen is 8. This suggests that the number of protons in the nucleus in the neutral state is 8. The total number of electrons is eight. Similarly, the nucleus of a sodium atom, which has an atomic number of 11, is made up of 11 protons. The nucleus is surrounded by 11 electrons. Because the atomic number equals the number of electrons, we may because the atomic number equals the number of electrons, we can readily estimate the atom's electrical configuration just by knowing its atomic number.
  2. Electrons: They are also subatomic particles. Electrons gravitate toward the nucleus, have a negative charge, and are smaller in size than the nucleus. Electrons have the same charge as protons, but with a minus sign. The mass of an electron is around 1/1836 that of a proton.
  3. Neutrons: They are also subatomic particles. Neutrons are neutrally charged. A neutron weighs somewhat more than a proton. The nucleus of the atom is made up of neutrons and protons.
  4. Protons: They are subatomic particles that exist within an atom. It is positively charged. It is found in the nucleus of an element's atom.

Related Articles-

Electrochemical Series

Sugar Formula

Highest Salary Courses after 12th Science

Cohesive Forces

Chemistry Periodic Table

Viscosity Definition

LPG Composition

Functional Groups

Salicylic Acid Structure

Schottky Defect

Bead Pharmacy

D Pharmacy

Description of 20 Elements in Periodic Table

The following is the list of each described element of the periodic table including their appearance, state of matter under normal temperature, atomic number, symbol, atomic mass, electron configuration, and element group-

Description of Element 

Symbol

Atomic Number 

Atomic Mass

Electron Configuration

Element Group

Hydrogen: Under normal conditions, it is a non-metallic, colorless gas that transforms into an alkali metal. This element has three isotopes, which differ in the number of neutrons in their atoms. 

H

1

1.008

1s¹

group 1, s-block, nonmetal

Helium: Helium is a colorless, light gas.

He

2

4.002602(2)

1s²

group 18, s-block, noble gas

Lithium: Lithium is a solid silver reactive metal.

Li

3

6.94 (6.938–6.997)

[He] 2s¹

group 1, s-block, alkali metal

Beryllium: Beryllium is a solid gray-white metal with a gleaming finish.

Be

4

9.0121831(5)

[He] 2s²

group 2, s-block, alkaline earth metal

Boron: Boron is a metallic-looking grey solid.

B

5

10.81 (10.806–10.821)

[He] 2s² 2p¹

group 13, p-block, metalloid

Carbon: Carbon is a solid that exists in a variety of forms, including diamond, graphite, and amorphous carbon. It comes in black, grey, or colorless varieties.

C

6

12.011 (12.0096–12.0116)

[He] 2s² 2p²

group 14, p-block, usually a non-metal, although sometimes considered a metalloid.

Nitrogen: Nitrogen is an odorless and colorless gas.

N

7

14.007

[He] 2s​² 2p³

group 15 (pnictogens), p-block, nonmetal

Oxygen: The gas oxygen is colorless. Its liquid form is blue, whereas its solid form might be crimson, metallic, or black.

O

8

15.999 or 16.00

[He] 2s² 2p⁴

group 16 (chalcogens), p-block, nonmetal

Fluorine: Fluorine is a light yellow gas, a bright yellow liquid, and a brilliant yellow solid.

F

9

18.998403163(6)

[He] 2s² 2p⁵

group 17, p-block, halogen

Neon:When excited in an electric field, neon is a colorless gas that generates an orange-red light.

Ne

10

20.1797(6)

[He] 2s² 2p⁶

group 18, p-block, noble gas

Sodium: Sodium is a silvery-white, soft metal.

Na

11

22.98976928(2)

 [Ne] 3s¹

group 1, s-block, alkali metal

Magnesium: Magnesium is a solid, gleaming grey metal.

Mg

12

24.305

[Ne] 3s²

group 2, s-block, alkaline earth metal

Aluminum: Aluminum is a soft, silver-colored metal that is nonmagnetic.

Al

13

26.9815385(7)

[Ne] 3s² 3p¹

group 13, p-block, is considered a post-transition metal or sometimes a metalloid

Silicon: Silicon is a crystalline solid with a metallic sheen that is hard and blue-gray in color.

Si

14

28.085

[Ne] 3s² 3p¹

group 14 (carbon group), p-block, metalloid

Phosphorus: Under normal settings, phosphorus is a solid; however, however it may assume numerous forms. White phosphorus and red phosphorus are the most frequent.

P

15

30.973761998(5)

[Ne] 3s² 3p³

group 15 (pnictogens), p-block, usually considered a nonmetal, but sometimes a metalloid

Sulphur: Sulphur is a yellow solid that is most commonly encountered as a crystal or powder.

S

16

32.06

[Ne] 3s² 3p⁴

group 16 (chalcogens), p-block, nonmetal

Chlorine: Under normal circumstances, chlorine is a light yellow-green gas. It is a brilliant yellow liquid.

Cl

17

35.45

[Ne] 3s² 3p⁵

group 17, p-block, halogen

Argon: Argon is a colorless liquid, gas, and solid. Under normal circumstances, it is a gas. When stimulated in an electric field, it displays a beautiful lilac-purple light.

Ar

18

39.948(1)

[Ne] 3s² 3p⁶

group 18, p-block, noble gas

Potassium: Potassium is a silvery, reactive solid metal.

K

19

39.0983(1)

[Ar] 4s¹

group 1, s-block, alkali metal

Calcium: Calcium is a silvery-gray solid metal with a little yellowish tinge.

Ca

20

40.078(4)

 [Ar] 4s²

group 2, s-block, alkaline earth metal

Read more about the Electronic Configuration of First 30 Elements and F Orbital Shape.

First 20 Elements with Noble Gases

Noble gases, often known as inert gases, are the elements that are the least reactive or most non-reactive. Noble gases were found later in history than other elements. The first 20 elements contain three noble gases, namely,

  1. Helium (He) has an atomic number of 2.
  2. Neon (Ne) has an atomic number of 10.
  3. Argon (Ar) has an atomic number of 18.

Related Articles-

 Father of Chemistry

Father Of Biology

 Father of Physics

Father of Zoology

Father of Botany

Properties of Elements

The name of an element might provide information about its properties- 

  1. Elements with names that finish in -gen are nonmetals that exist as pure gases at ambient temperature.
  2. Elements with names that finish in -ine belongs to a class of elements known as halogens. Halogens are very reactive and easily combine to produce compounds.
  3. Noble gases are inert or nonreactive gases at normal temperatures, and their names finish in -on.
  4. The majority of element names end with -ium. These are metals, which are often hard, lustrous, and conductive.

Read more about the Electropositive Elements and Variable Valency.

Mnemonics or Short Forms to Learn the Periodic Table

The following are the two ways to remember the first 20 elements of the periodic table-

  1. Happy Henry Lives Beside Boron Cottage, Near Our Friend Nelly Nancy Mg Allen. Silly Patrick Stays Close. Arthur Kisses Carrie.
  2. Here He Lies Beneath Bed Clothes, Nothing On, Feeling Nervous, Naughty Margret Always Sighs, ” Please Stop Clowning Around.

Was this Article Helpful/Relevant or did you get what you were looking for ?

👎234

Similar Articles

JoSAA Counselling 2024

By - Avantika Bhardwaj 2024-02-05 11:56:38 , 18 min read
Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

Ans. The atomic number of an element is the number of protons in the nucleus of each atom of that element. The element symbol, on the other hand, is a one- or two-letter abbreviation of the element’s name. It can also refer to a previous name.

Ans. The atomic mass of an element is defined as the total mass of one atom of that element. Its unit is known as the unified atomic mass unit, and it is represented by the symbol ’u.’ The value of the mean of the atomic masses in a mixture of isotopes in a given sample of an element is delivered by standard atomic weight.

Ans. The periodic table arranges the elements in ascending atomic number order. This is also the number of protons found in each atom. The first 20 entries are arranged alphabetically: The letter H stands for hydrogen.

Ans. Six of these elements account for almost 99% of the mass of the human body. The first 20 items give a good understanding of the different element groupings. They are also present in common chemical reactions.

Ans. Except for He, all noble gases have entire s and p outer electron shells. As a result, they are resistant to chemical reactions and bond formation.

Ans. Metals in the first twenty elements include lithium, beryllium, sodium, magnesium, aluminum, potassium, and calcium. Non-metals in the first twenty elements include hydrogen, helium, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, neon, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, and argon.

Ans. The first 20 elements contain three noble gases: helium (He), neon (Ne), and argon (Ar). Helium has an atomic number of two, neon has several ten, and argon has several eighteen.

Similar College

Course Offered

MBA

Fees for 2 years

₹ 909000

Avg. Package

₹ 8.7 LPA

Highest Package

₹ 12 LPA

Course Offered

MBA

Fees for 2 years

₹ 909000

Avg. Package

₹ 6.0 LPA

Highest Package

₹ 7.70 LPA

Check Eligibility   Free 1:1 Counselling