New Interactive Periodic Table Reveals How Each Element Influences Daily Life

Have you ever wondered how various elements affect everything from what you eat to how you get around town? If so, you’re bound to love a new interactive periodic table developed by Boeing software engineer Keith Enevoldsen.

The Period Table of the Elements, in Pictures and Words, reveals how seemingly obscure elements — such as gallium and tantalum — influence daily life. When peering at the chart, for instance, one learns that Ruthenium is used in electric switches, Potassium abounds in fruits and vegetables, and Bromine makes photography film possible.

Though the new-and-improved table is targeted at kids, adults might find themselves entranced by Enevoldsen’s work, as well.

Inhabitat reports that each element on the interactive table comes with a description as well as a list of potential uses. The tables are also color-coded to show how the elements are grouped together. Symbols indicate whether an element is a gas, liquid or a solid, and other symbols reveal whether the element is common in the human body, the Earth’s crust, whether it’s radioactive, magnetic or noble, and if it’s rarely or never found in nature. 

Whenever a new element is added, the software engineer is sure to add it to the table. In November 2016, for instance, 113 Nihonium (Nh), 115 Moscovium (Mc), 117 Tennessine (Ts), and 118 Oganesson (Og) were discovered. Enevoldsen promptly added them to the chart.

A few different versions of the interactive periodic table are available online. Additionally, the poster can be purchased in words or in pictures. Other projects Enevoldsen has produced include print-your-own-element flashcards and the website ThinkZone. The latter resource shares thought experiments and resources for mathematics, language, science, history, geography, music and art.

Learn more by visiting the Period Table of the Elements, in Pictures and Words website.

h/t Inhabitat