Students grasp the idea that the periodic table describes the known atoms in increasing order. It is clear to them that atomic size decreases across a period or down a group. However, the other more salient properties described by the structure of the table are not obvious to students.

Properties like atomic radius, electronegativity or metallic character. From early on, teachers can address the misconception associated with the obvious size properties of the periodic table by referring to the table for information regarding such topics as physical properties or chemical bonding characteristics.