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First 20 Elements of the Periodic Table: Names, Symbols & Atomic Numbers

First 20 Elements of the Periodic Table: Names, Symbols & Atomic Numbers

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Mar 12, 2025 09:34 AM IST

Elements are arranged systematically in the periodic table. The arrangement of elements is on the basis of their chemical properties such as atomic number, electronic configuration and recurring chemical properties. Inside the periodic table, the arrangement of elements is in the form of rows and columns. The rows are called periods and the columns are called groups. The first 20 elements of the periodic table are the fundamental building blocks of matter and predict the periodic trends that influence their behaviour.

Atomic Numbers and Symbols of the First 20 Elements

Atomic numbers

Element

Symbol


Hydrogen

H


Helium

He


Lithium

Li


Berilliyum

Be


Boron

B


Carbon

C


Nitrogen

N


Oxygen

O


Fluorine

F


Neon

Ne


Sodium

Na


Magnesium

Mg


Aluminium

Al


Silicon

Si


Phosphorous

P


Sulfur

S


Chlorine

Cl


Argon

Ar


Potassium

K


calcium

Ca

Background wave

An in-depth look at the first 20 elements in the periodic table is useful. Six of these elements make up nearly all of the mass of the human body. The first 20 elements provide an excellent overview of the various element groups. They can also be found in more common chemical processes. The elements are given in ascending atomic numbers from 1 to 20 order. The atomic number refers to the number of protons in each element's atoms.

Also read -

First 20 elements Of The Periodic Table

The periodic table is the representation of elements in the increasing order of their atomic number.

The Periodic table


Name and Symbols of Elements

The atomic number, element name, or element symbol can all be used to identify elements. A one- or two-letter abbreviation of the name serves as the emblem. Some symbols, on the other hand, allude to old element names. The symbol for sodium, for given as Na. This is a reference to the Latin word natrium, which was once used to refer to caustic soda. In Latin, the name of the atomic no of sodium is found to be atrium. Potassium's symbol is K, which is derived from the Latin word kalium, which denoted alkali or potash. An element symbol's initial letter is capitalised. It's lowercase when there's a second letter.

Examination of 1 to 20 elements of the periodic table

  1. Hydrogen

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Under normal circumstances, hydrogen is a nonmetallic, colourless gas. It transforms into an alkali metal under great pressure. This element has three isotopes, each with a different amount of neutrons in its atoms. Protium is the most prevalent isotope. Deuterium and tritium are the other two.

  • The atomic number of Hydrogen is 1

  • H is its symbol

  • It is estimated to have an atomic mass value of 1.008 amu

  • H is assigned 1s1 configuration

  • It is a Nonmetal belonging to group 1 and s-block

2. Helium

  • Helium is a light gas with no visible colour.

  • The atomic number of Helium is 2

  • He is its symbol

  • It is estimated to have an atomic mass value of 4.002 amu

  • He is assigned 1s2 configuration

  • It is belonging to group 18 and s-block

3. Lithium

It is a highly reactive solid metal with a silver colour

  • The atomic number of Lithium is 3

  • Li is its symbol

  • It is estimated to have an atomic mass value of 6.94 amu

  • Li is assigned [He] 2s1 configuration

  • It is an alkali metal belonging to group 1 and s-block.

4. Beryllium

It is a solid material with a shiny grey- white appearance

  • The atomic number of beryllium is 4

  • Be is its symbol

  • It is estimated to have an atomic mass value of 9.012 amu

  • Be is assigned [He] 2s2 configuration

  • It is an alkaline earth metal belonging to group 2 and s-block.

5. Boron

  • The atomic number of Boron is 5

  • B is its symbol

  • It is estimated to have an atomic mass value of 10.81 amu

  • B is assigned [He] 2s2 2p1 configuration

  • It is a metalloid belonging to group 13 and p-block.

6. Carbon

  • The atomic number of carbon is 6

  • C is its symbol

  • It is estimated to have an atomic mass value of 12.011 amu

  • C is assigned [He] 2s2 2p2 configuration

  • It is a metalloid belonging to group 14 and p-block

7. Nitrogen

  • the atomic number of nitrogen is 7

  • N is its symbol

  • It is estimated to have an atomic mass value of 14.007 amu

  • N is assigned [He] 2s2 2p3 configuration

  • It belongs to group 15 and p-block.

8. Oxygen

  • The atomic number of oxygen is 8

  • O is its symbol

  • It is estimated to have an atomic mass value of 16 amu

  • O is assigned [He] 2s2 2p4 configuration

  • It is belonging to group 16 and p-block

9. Fluorine

  • The atomic number of fluorine is 9

  • F is its symbol

  • It is estimated to have an atomic mass value of 18.989 amu

  • F is assigned [He] 2s2 2p5 configuration

  • It is belonging to group 17 and p-block

10. Neon

  • the atomic number of neon is 10

  • Ne is its symbol

  • It is estimated to have an atomic mass value of 20.179 amu

  • N is assigned [He] 2s2 2p6 configuration

  • It is belonging to group 18 and p-block

11. Sodium

  • The atomic number of sodium is 11

  • Na is the symbol of sodium

  • The Latin name of sodium is Natrium

  • It is estimated to have an atomic mass value of 22.989 amu

  • F is assigned [Ne] 3s1 configuration

  • It is belonging to group 1 and s-block

12. Magnesium

  • The atomic number of magnesium is 12

  • Mg is its symbol

  • It is estimated to have an atomic mass value of 24.309 amu

  • Mg is assigned [Ne] 3s2 configuration

  • It is belonging to group 2 and s-block

13. Aluminium

  • The atomic number of aluminium is 13

  • Al is its symbol

  • It is estimated to have an atomic mass value of 26.968 amu

  • Al is assigned [Ne] 3s2 3p1 configuration

  • It is belonging to group 13 and p-block

14. Silicon

  • The atomic number of Silicon is 14

  • Si is its symbol

  • It is estimated to have an atomic mass value of 28.085 amu

  • Si is assigned [Ne] 3s2 3p2 configuration

  • It belongs to group 14 and p-block.

15. Phosphorous

  • The atomic number of Phosphorous is 15

  • P is its symbol

  • It is estimated to have an atomic mass value of 30.9737 amu

  • P is assigned [Ne] 3s2 3p3 configuration

  • It is belonging to group 15 and p-block

16. Sulphur

  • The atomic number of Sulfer is 16

  • S is its symbol

  • It is estimated to have an atomic mass value of 32.09 amu

  • S is assigned [Ne] 3s2 3p4 configuration

  • It is belonging to group 16 and p-block

17. Chlorine

  • The atomic number of Chlorine is 17.

  • Cl is its symbol

  • It is estimated to have an atomic mass value of 35.45 amu

  • Cl is assigned [Ne] 3s2 3p5 configuration

  • It is belonging to group 17 and p-block

18. Argon

  • the atomic number of argon is 18

  • Ar is its symbol

  • It is estimated to have an atomic mass value of 39.948 amu

  • Ar is assigned [Ne] 3s2 3p6 configuration

  • It is belonging to group 18 and p-block

19. Potassium

  • The atomic number of Potassium is 19

  • The Latin name of potassium is found to be Kalium

  • K is its symbol

  • It is estimated to have an atomic mass value of 39.093 amu

  • K is assigned [Ar] 4s1 configuration

  • It is belonging to group 1 and s-block

20. Calcium

  • The atomic number of Calcium is 20.

  • Ca is its symbol

  • It is estimated to have an atomic mass value of 40.10 amu

  • Ca is assigned [Ar] 4s1 configuration

  • It is belonging to group 14 and s-block

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Some Solved Examples

Example.1 Choose the correct option:

1) (correct)The period of the element is determined by its highest shell

2)The period of the element is determined by its last orbital

3)The period of the element is determined by its valence shell electrons

4)The period of the element is determined by its valency

Solution

The period of the element is determined by its highest shell.

Hence, the answer is the option (1).

Example.2 Which pair of atomic numbers represents s-block elements

1)7,15

2)6,12

3)9,17

4) (correct)3,12

Solution

Out of the given elements, Z= 3 (Li) and Z= 12 (Mg) belong to the s Block of the periodic table.

Hence, the answer is the option (4).

Example.3 Newland’s octave law was successful in arranging:

1)Heavier elements

2) (correct)Lighter elements

3)Both

4)None

Solution

Newland’s octave law was successful in arranging lighter elements. After calcium, this law did not work accordingly.

Hence, the answer is the option (2).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which is the first element and the 20th element of the periodic table?

The first element of the periodic table is hydrogen and the 20th element of the periodic element is Calcium.

2. What is the atomic number of sodium and potassium?

Atomic number of Sodium 11 is and that of potassium is 19.

3. What is the latin name of sodium?

 In Latin the name of sodium is found to be natrium .

4. Which element carries the latin name kalium?

 Kalium is found to be  the latin name of  potassium.

5. Which element has the chemical symbol Al?

Aluminium has the chemical symbol Al.

6. What are the first 20 elements in a periodic table?

The first 20 elements in order are Hydrogen, Helium, Lithium, Beryllium, Boron, Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Fluorine, Neon, Sodium, Magnesium, Aluminium, Silicon, Phosphorus, Sulphur, Chlorine, Argon, Potassium, and Calcium.

7. Which element is the oldest?

 Hydrogen and helium are the oldest and the most abundant elements on the earth.

8. How many elements do we have in total in periodic table?

The periodic table contains total 118 elements

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