Mr C's Science

Element Detective

Guess-Who with periodic properties & trends

Set up the mystery

Opponent

You and the computer each get a secret element. Ask yes/no questions about properties to figure out the computer's element before it figures out yours.

How many elements on the board?

Fewer elements = quicker, friendlier games. More = a tougher deduction.

On = the board crosses out non-matching elements for you. Off = students cross out tiles themselves by clicking.

How to play
  1. Everyone gets a secret mystery element. You can see your own; your opponent's is hidden.
  2. On your turn, ask one yes/no question about a property or periodic trend (metal? halogen? gas at room temp? 7 valence electrons?).
  3. Cross out every element that doesn't fit the answer.
  4. When you're sure, make a guess. Guess right to win — but a wrong guess hands the game to your opponent, so be certain!

Pass the device

metal nonmetal metalloid noble gas Click a tile to cross it out yourself.

Periodic table (highlighted = in this game — spot the period)

Ask a question

Clue log (newest first)

Game over

Mr C's Science · Element Detective · reason from periodic trends: type, block, family, period, valence, state & reactivity.