Atomlink
Atomlink is a free daily chemistry game. Guess the mystery element in eight tries. After each guess, every column (atomic number, period, category, state, atomic mass and year of discovery) shows whether you matched, were close, or were off, with an arrow for the numbers.
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How to play
Type a chemical element, by name or symbol and pick it from the list. The row that appears compares your guess with the mystery answer, one column at a time. Use the colors and arrows to rule things out, then guess again.
Questions
Where does the data come from?
From the PubChem periodic table, a US government resource in the public domain: atomic number, mass, category, state at room temperature and year of discovery.
Which elements can be the answer?
Elements 1 to 103. The heaviest synthetic elements can be guessed but are never the answer.
How is the year of discovery handled?
Elements known since antiquity, such as gold and iron, count as discovered long ago. The arrow for the year points toward the answer's year.
How do I read the colors?
Purple means that column matches the answer. Striped yellow means close: a number within range, or related. Gray means no match. An arrow on a number points toward the answer: up if the answer is higher, down if it is lower.
How many guesses do I get?
Eight on most days. After four wrong guesses a hint shows the first letter of the answer, and after six it also shows the length.
What are the weekday twists?
Each day has its own rule. Monday is standard. Tuesday reveals one fact about the answer. Wednesday gives ten guesses. Thursday hides one column in your first three guesses. Friday turns the arrows off. Saturday gives only six guesses. Sunday is hard mode: every guess must be a possible answer given your clues.
When does a new puzzle appear?
At midnight in your time zone, and everyone sees the same answer on the same date.
Do I need an account?
No. Streaks and results are kept in your browser. Signing in with an email link keeps them on every device.
Element data: PubChem (US National Library of Medicine, public domain).
Tips for Atomlink
- Open with a transition metal such as iron to learn the category and an approximate number.
- Ancient elements all count as discovered long ago, so the year is only a clue for the rest.
- State at room temperature splits gases and liquids from the many solids.