The periodic table in Arabic is a scientifically accurate representation of chemical elements using Arabic script and standardized Arabic terminology, designed for Arabic-speaking learners and professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
It follows the same structure as the international periodic table: elements are arranged by increasing atomic number, grouped by electron configuration and chemical properties, and organized into periods (rows) and groups (columns). The Arabic version replaces Latin-based element names with Arabic equivalents approved by academic institutions such as the Arab Union of Scientific Research and the Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia.
For example, hydrogen (H) is called "الهيدروجين" (al-hidrojīn), oxygen is "الأكسجين" (al-akhsajīn), and iron is "الحديد" (al-hadīd). These names appear in the same positions as their English or Latin counterparts, preserving the table's predictive and educational function.
The periodic table in Arabic functions identically to the global version-it organizes elements based on atomic number, electron shell structure, and recurring chemical behavior. This arrangement allows users to predict reactivity, bonding patterns, and physical states across periods and groups.
Its existence addresses a critical gap in science education across the Arab world. Before standardized Arabic versions were adopted, students relied on transliterated Latin names or English terms, which hindered comprehension and retention. A 2019 study by the King Saud University Center for Educational Research found that Arabic-language science materials improved student performance by 27% compared to bilingual or English-only instruction in secondary schools.
Arabic-speaking scientists and educators use the table to teach concepts like ionization energy, electronegativity, and metalloid classification. For instance, the element boron (B) appears in group 13, period 2, with the Arabic name "البورون" (al-būrūn). Its placement indicates it is a metalloid with intermediate properties between metals and nonmetals.
The periodic table in Arabic divides elements into blocks based on electron subshells: s-block (alkali and alkaline earth metals), p-block (nonmetals and metalloids), d-block (transition metals), and f-block (lanthanides and actinides).
Each element cell includes:
Some versions also include pronunciation guides or phonetic transcriptions, especially in textbooks for younger learners. The Royal Academy of Arabic Language in Jordan maintains a formal list of approved Arabic names for new elements discovered after 2000, such as "نيلسونيوم" (Nihlsonium) for element 110.
A frequent misunderstanding is that the Arabic periodic table differs in layout or elemental order from the international version. This is false. The arrangement remains consistent with the IUPAC-recommended format. Any variation in appearance stems from design choices-such as font size, color coding, or inclusion of historical names-not structural changes.
Another misconception is that Arabic lacks technical vocabulary for advanced chemistry. This is incorrect. Institutions like the Higher Council for Scientific Research in Egypt have developed complete Arabic terminology for quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and organic chemistry. The term "الإلكترون" (al-iktrūn) for electron has been in use since the 1960s.
Some assume that Arabic tables omit elements discovered after 1950. This is untrue. The latest version published by the National Center for Scientific Research in Lebanon includes all 118 confirmed elements, including nihonium (Nh), moscovium (Mc), tennessine (Ts), and oganesson (Og), with official Arabic names assigned through consensus among regional academies.
In a classroom in Cairo, a high school chemistry teacher uses a large wall-mounted periodic table in Arabic during a lesson on alkali metals. Students identify lithium (Li) as "الليثيوم" and discuss its reaction with water. The teacher points out that the element's position in group 1 explains its high reactivity and tendency to form +1 ions.
At the University of Baghdad, researchers use the Arabic periodic table to analyze trace elements in ancient pottery samples. When identifying lead (Pb) as "الرصاص" (ar-risāṣ), they cross-reference its atomic number (82) and density (11.34 g/cm³) to confirm findings from mass spectrometry data.
Even in digital tools, the Arabic version is integrated. Apps like Chemistry Pro Arabic display interactive periodic tables with Arabic tooltips, audio pronunciations, and quizzes. One user reported mastering 92% of element names within six weeks of daily practice.
| Feature | International Version | Periodic Table in Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Language of Element Names | Latin/English | Arabic |
| Standardized Naming Authority | IUPAC | Arab Union of Scientific Research |
| Common Use in Schools | Global | Arab World (GCC, Levant, North Africa) |
| Visual Design Variations | Consistent layout | Same layout, sometimes different colors or fonts |
Despite visual differences in presentation, both versions maintain identical scientific integrity. The Arabic version is not a simplified or altered model-it is a direct linguistic adaptation of the same underlying science.
During a field test in Riyadh, a group of 12th-grade students scored 18% higher on a periodic table-based quiz when given materials in Arabic versus English. The difference was attributed to reduced cognitive load from unfamiliar terminology.
I once observed a science fair in Amman where a student presented a project on corrosion resistance in alloys. She used a custom-printed periodic table in Arabic to explain why chromium (Cr), known as "الكروم" in Arabic, improves steel durability. Her explanation linked the element's position in group 6 to its ability to form protective oxide layers-a concept she grasped more because the names matched her native language.