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This study highlights the response of the periodic variation of the geochemical behavior of elements to the thermal metamorphism of coal by considering the differentiation mode and differentiation degree of elements of the C2 coal seam in the Fengfeng mining area of the Handan Coalfield in Hebei, China. The periodic variation of the geochemical behavior of elements was observed to change towards a certain direction as the degree of metamorphism of a geological body increased. Based on the coincidence degree (or similarity degree) between the geochemical behavior of elements and periodic variation of elements, the 57 elements in this study were divided into two levels. The periodic variation of the geochemical behavior of first‐level elements was largely synchronous with that of their first ionization energy, suggesting that only one differentiation mode exists and the elements are mainly inorganically associated. The differentiation mode of the second‐level elements deviated to a certain extent from their first ionization energy; the larger the deviation, the more complicated and diverse was the differentiation mode. Among the second‐level elements, the grade of coal metamorphism has evident and intuitive effects on the proportion of elements with particular structural features, such as the 4q+3 type of elements and the odd‐odd elements. In addition, the distribution of elements in organic and inorganic matter within coal are subject to the structural features of the elements. The differentiation mode and differentiation intensity of elements could be characterized by the hierarchical parameter and differentiation intensity. The hierarchical parameter and differentiation intensity of certain elements showed a good positive or negative correlation with Rmax in coal. The 57 elements in this study were quantitatively ordered according to the degree of magmatic hydrothermal fluid influence and thermal metamorphism of coal through graphs depicting the goodness of fit, correlation coefficient with Rmax, and differentiation intensity. The results of this study are consistent with the results of previous field research, illustrating the scientific significance and application value of this study on the periodic variation of the geochemical behavior of elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]