How the A level table differs from GCSE
AQA's A level table gives every mass without brackets to one decimal place. Its GCSE table rounds to whole numbers, so sodium is 23.0 here and 23 there.
The booklet shows every element. The lanthanides (58 to 71) and actinides (90 to 103) sit in two rows under the main table.
Each box holds three things: the relative atomic mass, the symbol and the atomic number. There are no element names, so tap a box here if you need one.
Group numbers on the A level sheet
AQA labels the main groups 1 to 7 and 0, as at GCSE. Under those it adds (1) to (18) across every column, so the transition metals get numbers too.
Masses that changed between the AQA sheets
Technetium is [97] in the A level booklet and [98] on the GCSE sheet. The square brackets mean the value is the mass number of the most stable isotope.
Elements 104 to 111 differ as well. Rutherfordium, for example, is [267] here and [261] at GCSE.
Relative formula mass at A level
The method is the same as at GCSE, but you keep one decimal place. Potassium manganate(VII), KMnO4, works out like this.
- K: 1 × 39.1 = 39.1
- Mn: 1 × 54.9 = 54.9
- O: 4 × 16.0 = 64.0
- Sum: 39.1 + 54.9 + 64.0 = 158.0
Hydrated copper(II) sulfate, CuSO4.5H2O, comes to 249.6. Type it into the calculator with a full stop before the 5.
Crazy Science Games is built for ages 11 to 16, so most of our pages are at GCSE level. Read about the site, or go back to the periodic table hub.
AQA A level periodic table questions
Is the AQA A level periodic table different from the GCSE one?
Yes. It gives most masses to one decimal place, shows all 118 elements and leaves out the element names. A few bracketed mass numbers also differ.
Why is technetium [97] at A level but [98] at GCSE?
The two AQA documents give different mass numbers for technetium's most stable isotope. Use the number on the sheet for the exam you are sitting.
What is the Mr of water with AQA A level numbers?
Hydrogen is 1.0 and oxygen is 16.0, so H2O is 2 × 1.0 + 16.0 = 18.0.