Wikipedia:WikiProject Elements/Guidelines

 Article structure guidelines 

With a few suggestions for unified phrasings. (Note that the coding of headings is different only for this illustration, the usual article editing guidelines apply.) (_ElementDescription_ is something like: "silvery and ductile member of the post-transition metal group of chemical elements.")

__ is a _ElementDescription_. Its symbol is __ and its atomic number is __.


 * Or alternatively for short-lived synthetic elements:

__ is a synthetic element in the periodic table that has the symbol __ and atomic number __.

Physical

 * Describe the basic properties of the element (not its compounds) in everday life: physical state (we assume STP), electrical/thermal conductivity, color. Follow this part with more complex content such as ionization potentials, electron configuration, heat of vapourization, etc. If there a lot to say about any one item, say allotropes, then a separate ===Allotropes=== subsection would probably be helpful.

Chemical

 * Reactions of the element (principal compounds comprise a separate section). Reactions with water, air (corrosion), redox potential of the element.

Isotopes

 * Discuss isotopes per suggested boilerplate text below. If appropriate, also discuss nucleosynthesis in stars / nova.

Naturally occurring _ is composed of _ stable isotopes, _-_, _-_, and _-_, with _-_ being the most abundant (_% natural abundance). Out of these, _ are of use in NMR and EPR spectroscopy. _ radioisotopes have been characterized, with the most {abundant and/or stable} being _-_ with a half-life of _, _-_ with a half-life of _, and _-_ with a half-life of _. All of the remaining radioactive isotopes have half-lives that are less than _, and the majority of these have half lives that are less than _. This element also has _ nuclear isomers, with the longest-lived being _m-_ (t½ _), _m-_ (t½ _) and _m-_ (t½ _). The nuclei of nuclear isomers exist in a delicate equilibrium or metastability due to at least one nucleon having an excited energy state.

The isotopes of _ range in mass number from _ to _. The most common decay mode(s) of _ isotopes with mass numbers lower than the most abundant stable isotope, _-_, is/are {name of decay mode} /and {name of decay mode}, primarily forming _ isotopes (_ protons) /and _ isotopes (_ protons) as decay products. The most common decay mode(s) for _ isotopes with mass numbers higher than _-_, are {name of decay mode} /and {name of decay mode}. primarily forming _ isotopes (_ protons) /and _ isotopes (_ protons) as decay products.

Occurrence

 * Amount of element in ... the solar system, earth, crust, water, atmosphere, humans and other organisms (as available and appropriate). Discuss ores and minerals, mentioning global reserves.

Production

 * Not needed for elements that are not extensively mined, refined or used. Mention mining amounts, extraction techniques and amount of pure element or other derivatives produced for industry each year here. Also mention any environmental/pollution issues associated with the processing.


 * Information about the price is usually placed at the bottom of this section. Specify as of when is the information. Where applicable, state purity or type and use relevant industry standard units for currency and amount (example: US$ per troy ounce for gold). Indicate trends and provide a link to a live source where possible. Information about many commodities is available at for example.

Compounds

 * This section is longer than ===chemical characteristics=== above, which is largely restricted to the element (otherwise these sections are semi-redundant). Main binary compounds should be discussed; separating them by oxidation state.  Comments on geometry, magnetism and a feel for the reactivity. Aqueous behavior toward bases and acids (i.e. the element-ATE ions).  Where appropriate, separate section on organic/organometallic derivatives (for most elements, an article exists on "organo... compound", so  is indicated.
 * section with subsections and possibly a Main Article link to a "Compounds of ..." daughter article.

History

 * If the element was not known to the ancients, then mention who discovered it (and/or its oxide) and how (mention other contributors as well). If known by the ancients, then mention by what cultures, when first used (best evidence) and what the element was used for. Briefly mention major historical uses of the element and its major oxides (if applicable). Mention any notable use by alchemists and provide an image of alchemical symbol. A portrait of the discoverer should probably be included. Other major developments should be summarized such as technologies for the extraction or utilization.

Applications

 * Ranked in order of usage, ideally with graphic (pie-chart) showing use-fractions. Most real-world applications are prosaic and might not appeal to many academic editors. Most metals are used as the metals, not compounds.  Laboratory reagents consume negligible amounts of production stream, so this content should not be allowed to dominate.  Enumerating other niche uses similarly can overwhelm almost any article (e.g. copper is used to make door knobs).  Avoid lists.


 * There's always some tension between the largest uses of an element, and how much to write about them. For example, 93% of world potassium production is for fertilizer, but 93% of the potassium should not be about fertilizer! Similarly, bio-centric/medicinal uses of an element merit attention well-beyond beyond their use-fractions.

Biological role

 * Approximately 20 elements are required by higher organisms. Discuss how the element is used in organisms (prominent enzymes/proteins) and how the element manifests itself. Discuss how a deficiency of the element affects health. Toxic effects should be placed in the ==Precautions== section.

Precautions

 * Discuss toxic effects and amount needed to be toxic to humans and other organisms. Mention handling standards and notable accidents involving improper handling (if not already mentioned in ==History== section). Any mention of deliberate use as a toxin should go in the ==Applications== section. Particularly toxic elements should include an NFPA 704 diagram ("fire diamond", template NFPA 704 box). Note that extensive toxicity and hazard material is available to casual editors, so this section is reserved for highly notable information, e.g. arsenic is highly toxic, but we do not discuss that combining sodium and water is dangerous (that would go into the chemical characteristics section).

Locator map image
Currently, the periodic table locator map images are no longer images, but instead are now clickable periodic tables with functionality similar to that of Template:Compact periodic table.