Periodic Expansion
by Ardayimm
Periodic Expansion brings real chemical elements from the periodic table into Minecraft as ores, materials and tool sets for Forge 1.20.1.
What it does
Rather than adding random materials, the mod takes its properties from real elements and turns them into gameplay. Every element arrives as a naturally generating Overworld ore that smelts into usable materials. Spawn rates are tuned to avoid clutter and keep the vanilla terrain generation balanced for survival play.
Lithium and Beryllium can be crafted into complete equipment sets, with tools (pickaxe, axe, shovel, sword and hoe) and armor (helmet, chestplate, leggings and boots). Each material has its own stats: light tools are fast but wear out quickly, while heavier ones last longer and suit mid-game progression. The mod is designed for educational and immersive use, and it fits both survival worlds and modpacks. Its files are for Forge only and run on client and server, so the server and every player need it. The mod is released under All rights reserved, so it is not open source.
Future updates may bring further entries from the table, mechanics built on chemical properties and new mobs with environmental interactions. Those features are subject to change.
Key features
Elements as ores
Each element is added as an ore that generates in the Overworld and can be smelted into usable materials.
Full tool and armor sets
Lithium and Beryllium craft pickaxes, axes, shovels, swords, hoes and matching armor pieces.
Material-specific stats
Each material's durability and speed follow its real-world properties, so lighter metals cut faster and last less.
Balanced ore spawning
Ore spawn rates are adjusted so the elements add progression without crowding the vanilla resources.
Gallery
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Use cases
Who it’s for: Players and server owners who want a chemistry-based material progression for survival or modpacks, and teachers who use Minecraft to introduce periodic table elements.
How it compares
For science! is a Forge mod for 1.20.1 that is client and server and is released under All rights reserved. Elementarium is a Forge and NeoForge mod for 1.20.1 – 1.21.1 that is also client and server and is released under the MIT License. Imovinc is a Forge mod for 1.20.1 that is client and server and is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Periodic Expansion | Forge | 1.20.1 | Client and server | 2025-10-12 |
| For science! | Forge | 1.20.1 | Client and server | 2023-12-28 |
| Elementarium | Forge and NeoForge | 1.20.1 – 1.21.1 | Client and server | 2026-08-31 |
| Imovinc | Forge | 1.20.1 | Client and server | 2024-02-03 |
Questions
Which loaders does Periodic Expansion support?
Does the server need Periodic Expansion?
Are the elements limited to ores?
In the catalog
Periodic Expansion is one of 8,499 Technology mods on ModsFinder, and one of 4,122 Technology mods for Forge. 34,764 mods support Minecraft 1.20.1.
Similar mods
What the author says
Periodic Expansion is a Minecraft mod that aims to bring the Periodic Table of Elements into the game in a meaningful and expandable way. Instead of adding random materials, this mod focuses on real chemical elements, their properties, and how they can be translated into Minecraft gameplay. The project is designed to…
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/periodicexpansion
- Owner
- Ardayimm
- Published
- 2025-10-12
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2025-10-12
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15