ElementBuddy
An interactive periodic table reference for iPhone and iPad — covering all 118 elements with color-coded tiles, rich detail cards, and a built-in quiz mode.
What is ElementBuddy?
Elements is a periodic table reference designed for students, science enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the building blocks of matter. Browse the complete table, explore every element in depth, and test your knowledge — all in one beautifully designed app.
First launch
When you open the app, you'll see the periodic table grid. Each tile shows an element's symbol, atomic number, and name, color-coded by its category. Tap any tile to open its detail card.
The Periodic Table Grid
Browsing the table
The full 18-column periodic table layout is displayed by default. On iPhone in portrait, elements appear in an adaptive flow grid. Rotate to landscape to see the classic periodic table shape. On iPad, the full table shape is always shown.
Tapping an element
Tap any element tile to open its detail card. Swipe down on the card, or tap the × button, to close it.
Filtering by category
Tap the filter icon in the toolbar to highlight a specific element category. The selected category stays bright while all other tiles are dimmed — the table shape is preserved so you can see exactly where in the table that category appears. Tap the same category again, or choose "All Elements," to clear the filter.
Searching
Tap the search bar at the top and type an element name, symbol, or atomic number. Matching elements stay highlighted; non-matching tiles are dimmed so the table shape stays intact.
Grid vs. list view
Tap the view toggle in the toolbar to switch between the grid and a scrollable list. In list mode, the category filter narrows results rather than just highlighting them.
Element Detail Card
Tapping an element opens a card with three pages. Swipe left/right, or tap the card, to move between them.
Symbol
A large, bold view of the element's symbol and atomic number.
Card
Full properties: atomic mass, electron configuration, electrons per shell, state of matter, discovery year, and description.
Atom
An interactive Bohr model diagram showing the element's electron shells.
Text-to-Speech
On the detail card, tap the speaker icon to hear the element's name spoken aloud. Useful for learning correct pronunciations of less familiar element names.
Quiz Mode
Tap the quiz button in the toolbar to open Quiz Mode. Choose from four question types:
Given an element's symbol, identify the element name.
Given an element's name, identify the correct chemical symbol.
Match an element to its atomic number.
Identify which category an element belongs to.
Session length
Before starting, choose how many questions you'd like: 5, 10, or 20. Your score is shown at the end of each session.
Tips for studying
- Start with Symbol → Name if you're a beginner — it's the most visual question type.
- Use Category quizzes to reinforce where elements sit in the table.
- Return to the grid after a quiz to look up any elements you missed.
Built for everyone
VoiceOver
All element tiles, cards, and quiz controls include descriptive labels. The grid announces each tile's name, symbol, and atomic number.
Dynamic Type
Text scales throughout the app with your iOS text size setting.
Reduce Motion
If Reduce Motion is enabled in iOS Settings, transition animations are simplified automatically.
Touch Targets
All interactive elements meet Apple's recommended minimum tap target size.
Device & OS Requirements
Data Accuracy
All 118 elements and their properties — including atomic masses — have been reviewed against NIST SP 966 (June 2024), the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology's official periodic table publication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the grid dim elements when I filter?
Dimming (rather than removing) non-matching elements preserves the periodic table's shape. The position of each element in the table is part of what the table communicates — hiding tiles would break that structure.
Why does the table look different in portrait vs. landscape on iPhone?
In portrait, the full 18-column table is too wide to display at a legible size, so elements appear in an adaptive flow grid. Rotate to landscape to see the classic layout with all groups and periods in their correct positions.
Can I change the quiz question count mid-session?
No — session length is chosen before you start. Close the quiz and start a new session to pick a different count.
Does the app work offline?
Yes. All element data is bundled with the app and works fully offline. No internet connection is required.
Does the app contain ads?
No. ElementBuddy is completely ad-free.
Contact & Support
If you have a question, notice a data error, or want to share feedback, we'd love to hear from you.
Leave a review or report an issue
Use the App Store support link on the app's product page, or leave a review — we read every one.