How do you read the periodic table? The periodic table is a table of all the organic and inorganic elements that we have discovered in our universe so far. The table is organized both by atomic structure as well as physical and chemical properties. To the far left of the table in groups 1 and 2, you’ll find your alkali metals and alkaline earth metals. Right beside it in group 3, you have your rare earth metals. Groups 4 through 12 are all transition metals with properties of both metals and non-metals. And beside that you have non-metals, halogens, and the noble gases. Below the main table you’ll find two more groups of elements that, rather than being found in the natural world, were developed within a laboratory. These groups include the rare earth elements and actinoid elements. Each box in the table represents a different element with their original Latin name abbreviated to 1-2 letters. Above the abbreviation you’ll usually find a whole number that represents the element’s atomic number, or the number of protons in the elements nucleus. Below the abbreviation there is usually a decimal number that represents the atomic weight of the element. Now you know how to read the periodic table!