Frequently Asked Questions
First off, this is not a canonical FAQ or Frequently Asked Questions page. It's basically just a simple “How to” description of my periodic table.
Many have complained that the text on the periodic table is too small too read! It will automatically stretch to the size of your window. Maximize your window and it will get as big as your screen allows.
Parts
- Main Table
The main table can either be in the standard form with the lanthanide and actinide series below it, or in the less conventional "long" format with those two series embedded within it. The control to accomplish this appears in the "Config" menu of the menu bar. Each cell in the table contains the atomic mass units (AMU) the element mass, it’s symbol, and its name. But, when you mouse over an element, many more details are filled into the Element Detail section.
- Lanthanide/Actinide Series
Elements 57-70 and 89-102 usually appear in a block below the main table. As mentioned above, they can also be embedded within the table. The advantage of this is that it makes more sense and better allows you to recognize trends in the elements’ characteristics when color is applied. The disadvantage is that it makes the table really wide! To get the wider table to fit on the screen, I had to make all the cells a little smaller.
- Element Details
This section appears above the table near the middle. It is comprised of the close-up element and many associated details such as density, boiling point, atomic radius, etc. This information is updated by mousing over any of the elements in the table. Clicking on the categories of the element details section colors the cells of the table to graphically show that detail. Doing so also changes the meaning of the mini-graph. Some characteristics are not listed in the element details section. In particular, the AMU and the mass of an element are listed in the giant close-up cell. Clicking on the AMU or the mass of the close-up cell will color the table and change the meaning of the mini-graph accordingly.
- Electron Configuration Graph
The Electron Configuration Graph (ECG) diagrams the energy level, energy sublevel, and pseudo m and magnetic spin of a given element. Importantly, the ECG does NOT show the order in which electrons fill the orbitals. The specific n, l, m*, & s* are updated when mousing rather than clicking. The shades of the vertical bars below the orbitals indicate the energy level, l -- the darker the bar, the higher the energy level. The hue of the orbital indicates the energy sublevels, s, p, d, & f. Mousing over the graph causes it to expand. Mousing off of it causes it to shrink. If you have a big monitor and prefer that the ECG and similar graphs not expand and shrink in response to your mouse movements, you can force to stay small by checking the appropriate checkbox on the “Config” menu of the menu bar. - Mini Graph
The Attribute-Mini-Graph (AMG) is another part that expands and contracts in response to the mouse. The horizontal axis is always the atomic mass unit (AMU). There is one vertical bar or bin for each of the 109 elements. The vertical axis starts out as the mass but can be changed by clicking on the categories of the Element Details section. For example, clicking on the density field of the Element Details section will change the mini-graph to show a graph of density versus AMU. Doing so also changes the color of the graph. The graph will be colored in a manner similar to the table. The denser an element, the greener it becomes. Mousing over the individual bins of the graph displays the symbol of the element and its corresponding detail of interest, in our case, density. Note: this isn’t the symbol and AMU, but symbol and the value corresponding to whichever detail you last chose. The above image is what you will see if you currently have selected the 4d table coloring option. - Menu system
The menu system provides a handful of drop down screens coming from the menu bar at the top of the screen. With the exception of the check box components on the "config" screen, no clicking is necessary. The drop down menu screens include the following:- Color
This new and improved color system uses a submenu to the top menu bar. It has all the color options compared to the few that will fit on the Element Details panel. These are grouped according to similar category and identified by what I hope is an easily recognizable symbol (at least when your window is maximized). - Usage
The Usage screen provides a mini-map of the application listing information about each section works. Please remember that because I am trying to keep the application as small as possible that the minimal description that appears there is mostly as a reminder for people that have already read this FAQ. Much more explanation and detail appear on this page than what appears in the periodic table. - Config
This screen is designed to permit you to modify the table and how it functions. Currently, the checkboxes here permit you to choose- Whether or not the graphs will expand and contract when you mouse over them. Each can be adjusted individually. If you have a large enough monitor, it may be preferable to keep the mini-graphs in their mini-state. The default is that they grow and shrink with mouseover.
- Whether the helium element should appear in the noble gas column or with the alkaline earths in the 1s2 column. Read the philosophy section for more on this. The default is the canonical noble gas column.
- Whether the hydrogen element should appear in its 1s1 alkali earths column or in the halogen column.
- Whether the lanthanide and actinide series should be embedded within the table or appear below. The default is to have them below.
- Whether or not the current element highlight should be turned on.
- The amount of rotation of the groups. Also, whether or not the lanthanides and actindes get rotated along with the rest of the table.
- About
This screen gives contact information for me and provides some general acknowledgement that you use the info at your own risk. If it’s possible to get hurt using this periodic table, it’s your fault, not mine.
- Color
Known Problems
There are some known broken parts in the program, but if you know additional problems, please contact me and let me know. I can be reached at chemistry@touchspin.com.