Topic: History of Periodic table

 Public School and College Abbottabad

Modernage Girls Campus:

Class: Class 9th

Supervised by : Ms. Nimra Zubair

RESEARCHERS: Insha Zainab

                                Summaya Shaheen

                                Horiya Khan

                                Laraib Qaiser

                               Fatima Sajid

MEETING DAY : Tuesday, Thursday

MEETING TIME : 3rd Period , BREAK

MEETING VENUE : Computer Lab

Abstract

The periodic table is one of the most iconic accomplishments in the discipline of chemistry, providing as a visual representation of the underlying organization of chemical elements. The history of the periodic table is explored in this research article, from early philosophical hypothesis on the nature of matter to the current classification scheme that serves as the foundation of present-day chemistry. The article highlights how important individuals like Mendeleev and Moseley, as well as later developments in atomic theory, helped to modify the periodic table into what it is today. 

Introduction

The periodic table, which displays an organized collection of chemical elements according to their atomic features, is an essential element of modern chemistry. From its earliest philosophical conceptions to its contemporary manifestation, it has gone through significant developments, intellectual disputes and deep truths. This piece of writing aims to explain how the periodic table has changed during the time, noting major events, prominent people, and the evolving theories that have influenced its design.

Ancient Philosophical Foundations:

The nature of matter and the presence of essential constituents were topics of discussion for ancient Greek philosophers like Empedocles and Democritus, However, Antoine Lavoisier's revolutionary studies regarding the conservation of mass and chemical naming did not lay a foundation for systematic elemental classification until the last decade of the 18th century.

Periodic Table Predecessors:

Both the Law of Triads and the Law of Octaves, respectively, were proposed by chemists like Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner and John Newlands in an effort to organize components based on particular patterns and correlations. Despite its drawbacks, these efforts constructed the way for the eventual creation of the periodic table.

Mendeleev's genius:

Dmitri Mendeleev's periodic table from 1869 signifies a turning point in the development of science. He left spaces for yet-to-be-discovered elements and accurately predicted their properties by arranging the elements according to their increasing atomic weights. His discovery of the powerful connection between atomic structure and chemical behavior, is referred as the periodic law, indicated that the properties of elements are controlled by the periodicity of their atomic weights.

Contemporary Understanding of Atomic Structure:

The study of atomic structure witnessed a revolution in the early 20th century with the development of quantum physics and advances in atomic theory. The drawbacks of earlier structures were addressed by Henry Moseley's modification of the periodic table based on atomic number rather than atomic weight after he discovered the connection between atomic number and x-ray spectra.

Modern Periodic Table:

The elements in the modern periodic table are arranged into periods and groups and are based on atomic number. Because the electron configurations of elements in the same group are similar, assumptions related to the behavior of those elements are possible. The periodic patterns that control chemical reactions, elemental properties, and their periodic trends can all be understood using the periodic table.

Beyond Mendeleev's Table:

As new elements are produced and verified, today's periodic table keeps growing. The so-called super heavy elements, which are elements with atomic numbers over 118, give problems for theoretical models and add to our knowledge of nuclear physics.

Chemists who contributed in the making of periodic table:

ANCIENT TIMES:

 Antiquity:

Philosophers and alchemists speculate about the existence of basic elements like earth, air, fire, and water.

17th Century: 1661

Robert Boyle distinguishes between elements and compounds in his book "The Skeptical Chemist."

 

18th Century: 1789

Antoine Lavoisier publishes "Elementary Treatise on Chemistry," proposing a list of elements and introducing the concept of chemical reactions.

Early 19th Century: 1817

Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner formulates the "triads" concept, grouping elements with similar properties.

1829

Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner discovers the law of triads, which predicts the properties of missing elements within certain groups.

Mid 19th Century: 1864

John Newlands proposes the "Law of Octaves," suggesting that elements repeat their properties every eighth element.

1869: Dmitri Mendeleev and Julius Lothar Meyer independently publish their periodic tables. Mendeleev's table is more widely accepted due to his successful prediction of missing elements.

Late 19th Century:1871

Mendeleev's periodic table is published in its improved form.

A Russian chemist and inventor. He is best known for formulating the Periodic Law and creating a version of the periodic table of elements.

1894: Lord Rayleigh and Sir William Ramsay discover the noble gases, which lead to the expansion of the periodic table.

20th Century:1913

Henry Moseley establishes the modern periodic law, arranging elements by atomic number instead of atomic weight.

1930: The periodic table is further refined and expanded as new elements are discovered.’

An English physicist, whose contribution to the science of physics was the justification from physical laws of the previous empirical and chemical concept of the atomic number. This stemmed from his development of Moseley's law in X-ray spectra.

Post-World War II: 1952

Glenn T. Seaborg and his team synthesize and identify elements beyond uranium, expanding the periodic table.

2016: The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) officially names elements 113 (Nihonium, Nh), 114 (Flerovium, Fl), 115 (Moscovium, Mc), and 118 (Oganesson, Og).

An American chemist whose involvement in the synthesis, discovery and investigation of ten Trans uranium elements earned him a share of the 1951 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

21st Century:  

Ongoing research continues to explore and synthesize new, super heavy elements, pushing the boundaries of the periodic table.

This provides an overview of the key milestones and developments in the history of the periodic table. It has evolved significantly from its early philosophical roots to its current form, reflecting our deepening understanding of the fundamental building blocks of matter.

The first Periodic Table:

Our Modern Periodic table, the table for which chemists worked very hard.

There haven't been any fundamental changes to the structure of the periodic table. However, there have been ongoing advancements and research in the field of chemistry that may lead to potential changes or refinements in the future.

Island of Stability:

Scientists have been exploring the concept of an "Island of Stability," which suggests that there might be a range of super heavy elements that are more stable than currently known ones. These elements could have longer half-lives and potentially practical applications in the future.

Reactivity and Applications:

Understanding the properties of newly discovered elements is crucial for potential future applications in various fields, including nuclear physics and materials science. Researchers have been studying the reactivity of these elements to gain insights into their behavior.

Periodic Trends and Predictions:

Ongoing research has improved our understanding of periodic trends and the behavior of elements within the periodic table. Computational chemistry and quantum mechanics have played significant roles in predicting and explaining the properties of elements and their compounds.

Final Remarks:

The history of the periodic table reflects the progressive growth of human understanding of substance and its properties. The periodic table is proof of human ingenuity and scientific progress, from early supposition to Mendeleev's wisdom and later revelations of the atomic theory. It serves as a strong framework that connects various components, promoting unique thoughts into the substance of the material world.

References:

Website reference:

1.     https://chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ejic.201801409

2.     Stephen A. Matlin, Goverdhan Mehta, Henning Hopf, Alain Krief

3.     First published: 28 March 2019

Book reference:

1.     Paul Strathern, 2000, Mendeleyev's Dream: The Quest for the Elements

2.     Robinson, A. ed., 2023. The Scientists: Pioneers of Discovery. Thames & Hudson.

3.     Maes, C., 2023. Facts of Matter and Light: Ten Physics Experiments that Shaped Our Understanding of Nature. Springer Nature. Agassi, J., 2022. The Philosophy of Practical Affairs: An Introduction. Rowman & Littlefield.