CHEMISTRY

An alternative design for the Modern Periodic Table
SHIVAM DUHAN
ABSTRACT
The Modern Periodic Table, the bedrock of all of Chemistry, has some minor anomalies. The position of Hydrogen is not justified as
it resembles both alkali metals and halogens. Helium is placed in the p-block despite the fact that it has no electron in the p-orbital.
Also, the f-block elements are not included in the main body of the Periodic table. I have endeavored to remove these anomalies and
formulate a better periodic table. I have based my periodic table on the principle of atomic number similar to the periodic table
currently in use. I have not tampered with any of chemistry's basic concepts but rather have given the periodic table a much delayed
facelift cementing fundamentally correct concepts in a more creative structure. I have resolved the position of Hydrogen & Helium
and incorporated f-block elements into the main body of the periodic table. More importantly, the arrangement of my periodic table
contains the atomic hypothesis and gives a demonstration of the electrons filling up the principal energy levels. In addition to this, I
have used velocity of electron formula and equated it to the speed of light to predict 137 elements and include elements up to 137 in
the table. The best thing is that it includes all the good points of the current table and the arrangement still follows Moseley's law.
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DATE RECEIVED:
June 24, 2015
KEYWORDS:
Periodic Table
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My periodic table is arranged in a spiral format with Hydrogen at the centre. It is attached to Halogens
on the right and Alkali metals on the left. It is also connected to Helium to signify that both have their
outermost electron in the s orbital. Some of the elements have a rather peculiar shape to make the
table continuous and without any anomaly. Lanthanides and Actinides are also included in the main
body. To understand the table, you have to proceed along the spiral in a counter-clockwise fashion.
Thus, the periods will be along the spiral and the groups will be roughly perpendicular to the spiral.
Consider the placement of the elements carefully as only those elements are related which are in
direct contact. Note that the table resembles an atom with Hydrogen as its nucleus. Hydrogen, whose
nucleus is a part of all other elements, has been rightfully placed at the centre in my table similar to the
way nucleus is placed in an atom. Also, the spiral size increases each time we move to the next
period, signifying the addition of a shell to the atom of an element and the corresponding increase in
size.
DUHAN The Winnower JUNE 21 2015
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AN ALTERNATIVE DESIGN FOR THE MODERN PERIODIC TABLE : CHEMISTRY
Figure 1: Sketch of my alternative design of the modern periodic table.
SOLUTION OF ANOMALIES
POSITION OF HYDROGEN & HELIUM
The properties of Hydrogen resemble both alkali metals and halogens; therefore it is placed in the
middle connected to both groups. In addition it lies in the s-block along with Helium and is thus
connected to it with a line indicating that Hydrogen resembles only Helium, and no other noble gas, in
this regard.
POSITION OF F-BLOCK
Lanthanides and Actinides have been included in the table by including a projection in the table giving
further evidence of the flexible structure of the table. This also suggests a way to include the g-block
elements in the table when they are discovered.
Number of elements
I have found the maximum number of elements possible by using the formula for velocity of electron in
nth orbit, considering the 1st orbit (as the electron has the maximum velocity in this case and thus it will
approach the speed of light earliest) and equating it to the speed of light (as nothing can go faster than
the speed of light). The answer comes out to be 137.61 and applying the greatest integer function to it
yields 137. Using IUPAC nomenclature for elements over the atomic number 112, I have accordingly
included 137 elements in my version of the periodic table. This is based on the assumption that the
simple velocity of electron formula holds for all elements. According to the atomic theory,
DUHAN The Winnower JUNE 21 2015
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AN ALTERNATIVE DESIGN FOR THE MODERN PERIODIC TABLE : CHEMISTRY
Here v is Velocity of electron, Z is atomic number and n is the principal quantum number. Equating
Velocity of electron with the speed of light,
Taking
;
& Greatest Integer (Z) = 137
Conclusion
Through my periodic table, I have resolved the position of Hydrogen and Helium and included
Lanthanides and Actinides in the main body of the periodic table. I have calculated the total number of
elements possible in the universe. I have arranged the table in the form of an atom – thus including the
knowledge of the atomic hypothesis in the periodic table. Also, the structure of my periodic table
indicating the progressive filling up of energy levels gives an idea of the structure of the atom and the
quantum theory. Building upon existing knowledge, my periodic table provides a refreshingly new way
of arranging the elements. Overall, my periodic table is an alternative modern periodic table free of all
anomalies.
DUHAN The Winnower JUNE 21 2015
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