The periodic table captures a subtle pattern that runs through the chemical elements, the fundamental building blocks of everything around us: from the aluminium in bike frames to the xenon gas in ...

Editor's note: The following is a text-only version. The complete version with artwork is available for purchase here (PDF). The periodic table of the elements is one of the most powerful icons in ...

A chemical element is one of those squares on the periodic table that adorns many a classroom wall. Sure. But what is an element really? It is a more subtle question that you might realise. To get to ...