First 20 Elements Of The Periodic Table Flash Cards: 7 Simple Tricks To Memorize Them Fast And Never Forget – Learn the first 20 elements in days (not weeks) with smart flashcards and spaced repetition.

What Are “First 20 Elements Of The Periodic Table” Flash Cards, Really?

Alright, let's talk about what first 20 elements of the periodic table flash cards actually are: they’re simple Q&A cards that help you memorize the first twenty elements (H to Ca) – names, symbols, atomic numbers, and even extra facts – by testing yourself over and over. Instead of staring at a boring table, you turn each element into a tiny question on one side and an answer on the other, so your brain has to pull the info out, not just reread it. That “pulling” is called active recall, and it’s one of the easiest ways to remember stuff longer. Apps like Flashrecall basically automate this whole process for you so you can focus on learning, not on managing a pile of cards.

By the way, if you want to try this right away, Flashrecall on iPhone/iPad makes it super quick to build and study these:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085

Let’s break down exactly what to put on your cards, how to study them, and how to make the first 20 elements finally stick.

The First 20 Elements (So You Know What You’re Memorizing)

Here’s the list you’re working with:

1. Hydrogen – H – 1

2. Helium – He – 2

3. Lithium – Li – 3

4. Beryllium – Be – 4

5. Boron – B – 5

6. Carbon – C – 6

7. Nitrogen – N – 7

8. Oxygen – O – 8

9. Fluorine – F – 9

10. Neon – Ne – 10

11. Sodium – Na – 11

12. Magnesium – Mg – 12

13. Aluminium (or Aluminum) – Al – 13

14. Silicon – Si – 14

15. Phosphorus – P – 15

16. Sulfur – S – 16

17. Chlorine – Cl – 17

18. Argon – Ar – 18

19. Potassium – K – 19

20. Calcium – Ca – 20

Your flash cards should help you connect:

• Name
• Symbol
• Atomic number
• Maybe: group/type (metal, non-metal, noble gas, etc.)
• Maybe: one fun/useful fact

How To Structure Your Flash Cards (The Smart Way)

You don’t want random, messy cards. You want cards that are easy to answer quickly.

Core Card Types You Should Make

For the first 20 elements of the periodic table flash cards, I’d start with these:

1. Name → Symbol

• Front: “What is the symbol for Hydrogen?”
• Back: H

2. Symbol → Name

• Front: “H stands for which element?”
• Back: Hydrogen

3. Atomic Number → Name

• Front: “Which element has atomic number 11?”
• Back: Sodium (Na)

4. Name → Atomic Number

• Front: “What is the atomic number of Oxygen?”
• Back: 8

5. Bonus: Quick fact

• Front: “Which noble gas is used in neon signs?”
• Back: Neon (Ne, atomic number 10)

You don’t have to create all of these at once. Start simple (name ↔ symbol), then add more once those feel easy.

Doing This On Paper vs In An App

You can do all of this with index cards, but here’s the problem:

• You have to manually shuffle and track which ones you know
• It’s annoying to carry around
• No reminders → easy to forget to revise
• Hard to quickly edit or add images

Using an app like Flashrecall just makes the whole thing smoother:

• You can type cards or auto-generate them from text, images, PDFs, or even YouTube links
• Built-in spaced repetition schedules reviews for you
• You get study reminders, so you don’t fall behind
• Works offline on iPhone and iPad, so you can study on the bus, in bed, wherever

If you want to try it, here’s the link again:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085

Why Spaced Repetition Matters So Much For The First 20 Elements

So, you know how you cram for a test, feel like a genius that night, and then two days later… nothing? That’s your brain’s “forgetting curve.”

• Right before you’re about to forget them
• Less often as you get better at them

For example, in Flashrecall:

• A new card (like “What is the symbol for Potassium?”) might show up again in a few hours
• If you get it right easily, the app pushes the next review to tomorrow
• Then 3 days, then a week, then longer

You don’t have to think about timing at all. You just open the app, and it tells you:

“Here are today’s cards. Go.”

Step-By-Step: Building Your First 20 Elements Deck In Flashrecall

Here’s a simple way to set this up without overthinking.

1. Create Your Deck

• Open Flashrecall
• Tap to create a new deck
• Call it something like: “First 20 Elements – Chem Basics”

2. Add Basic Cards Manually (Fast)

For each element, create at least 2 cards:

• Card 1
• Front: “Symbol of Carbon?”
• Back: C
• Card 2
• Front: “Carbon – atomic number?”
• Back: 6

You can type these in, or paste from a list you already have.

3. Use Text Or Image Import To Speed Things Up

If your teacher gave you a PDF or a table:

• Import the PDF or screenshot into Flashrecall
• Let the app turn the content into flashcards automatically
• Edit the ones you want to keep (e.g., focus on first 20 elements only)

This saves a ton of time compared to typing everything from scratch.

4. Add A Few “Tricky” Cards

Some symbols don’t match the English name (Na, K, etc.). Make extra cards for those:

• Front: “Na – which element? (tricky Latin symbol)”
• Back: Sodium – atomic number 11
• Front: “K – which element?”
• Back: Potassium – atomic number 19

Calling out “tricky” in the card text actually helps your brain pay extra attention.

7 Simple Tricks To Memorize The First 20 Elements Faster

Here’s where it gets fun. Use these with your flash cards to lock things in.

1. Learn Them In Small Batches

Don’t try to learn all 20 at once. Go like this:

• Day 1: 1–5
• Day 2: 6–10
• Day 3: 11–15
• Day 4: 16–20

Then keep reviewing the earlier ones with spaced repetition. Flashrecall handles the scheduling for you automatically.

2. Use Patterns On The Periodic Table

Notice patterns:

• 1–2: H, He (simple, tiny elements)
• 3–10: Li → Ne (lots of common ones: Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen)
• 11–20: Mostly metals with some non-metals and noble gases mixed in

You can even add a card like:

• Front: “Which of the first 20 elements are noble gases?”
• Back: Helium, Neon, Argon

3. Add One Fun Fact Per Element

Your brain remembers stories better than raw numbers. Add quick facts:

• Hydrogen – used in rocket fuel
• Helium – in balloons, very light
• Sodium – in table salt (NaCl)
• Calcium – in bones and teeth

In Flashrecall, you can put the fact on the back, or make a separate card:

• Front: “Which element in the first 20 is found in bones and teeth?”
• Back: Calcium (Ca, 20)

4. Mix Question Directions

Don’t only go name → symbol. Also go:

• Symbol → name
• Number → name
• Fact → element

This stops you from “recognizing” instead of actually knowing.

5. Talk To Your Flashcards (Yes, Seriously)

Flashrecall lets you chat with the flashcard if you’re unsure about something.

So if you keep mixing up Sodium and Potassium, you can literally ask inside the app:

> “Explain an easy way to remember the difference between Na and K.”

You’ll get an explanation or mnemonic on the spot, and you can turn that into a new card.

6. Short, Frequent Sessions Beat Long, Rare Ones

Aim for:

• 5–10 minutes
• 1–3 times per day

Flashrecall sends study reminders, so you don’t rely on willpower. You just see the notification, open the app, and clear today’s cards.

7. Practice Offline Anywhere

One underrated thing: Flashrecall works offline, so you can study:

• On the bus
• In a waiting room
• During a short break at school

Those little pockets of time add up fast when you’re just drilling 20 elements.

Example Flash Card Set For The First 5 Elements

To give you a concrete idea, here’s how a mini-set might look.

• Q: “Symbol for Hydrogen?” → A: H
• Q: “Atomic number of Hydrogen?” → A: 1
• Q: “Lightest element in the universe?” → A: Hydrogen

• Q: “He stands for which element?” → A: Helium
• Q: “Which noble gas is used in balloons?” → A: Helium

• Q: “Symbol for Lithium?” → A: Li
• Q: “Which element is used in phone batteries (first 20)?” → A: Lithium

• Q: “Atomic number of Beryllium?” → A: 4

• Q: “B stands for which element?” → A: Boron

You’d keep going like that up to Calcium (Ca, 20). Once you’ve built the first few, the rest feel easy.

Why Flashrecall Works So Well For This

To sum it up, here’s why Flashrecall is actually perfect for first 20 elements of the periodic table flash cards:

• Fast card creation – type, paste, or auto-generate from text, images, PDFs, or even YouTube links
• Built-in active recall – shows you one side and forces you to answer before revealing
• Automatic spaced repetition – reviews are scheduled for you, no manual tracking
• Study reminders – nudges you to come back before you forget
• Chat with your cards – ask questions when you’re confused and turn explanations into new cards
• Offline support – study anywhere, anytime
• Free to start – you can test it out with just this 20-element deck

If you want to actually remember the first 20 elements instead of just recognizing them for one test, flash cards + spaced repetition is honestly the easiest combo.

You can grab Flashrecall here and build your deck in a few minutes:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085

Once you’ve nailed the first 20, you can keep going with more elements, chemistry terms, or literally any other subject you’re studying.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the fastest way to create flashcards?

Manually typing cards works but takes time. Many students now use AI generators that turn notes into flashcards instantly. Flashrecall does this automatically from text, images, or PDFs.

Is there a free flashcard app?

Yes. Flashrecall is free and lets you create flashcards from images, text, prompts, audio, PDFs, and YouTube videos.

How do I start spaced repetition?

You can manually schedule your reviews, but most people use apps that automate this. Flashrecall uses built-in spaced repetition so you review cards at the perfect time.

What is active recall and how does it work?

Active recall is the process of actively retrieving information from memory rather than passively reviewing it. Flashrecall forces proper active recall by making you think before revealing answers, then uses spaced repetition to optimize your review schedule.

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