Chanave Borrikanhattakij 6133807423
HISTORY OF SCIENCE ASSIGNMENT : Periodic table
Russian chemist Dimitri Mendeleev started the development of the periodic table,
arranging chemical elements by atomic mass in 1869. He predicted the discovery of other
elements, and left spaces open in his periodic table for them. The periodic table organizes
elements according to similar properties. This is the reason that we can tell the characteristics
of an element just by looking at its location on the table. Before the discovery of all natural
elements occurred, the periodic table was used to predict the chemical and physical properties
of elements, but in the present, the periodic table can be used to predict properties of elements
yet to be discovered. Rather than memorizing facts and figures for each element, students and
scientists need only glance at the table to learn much about the reactivity of an element,
whether it is likely to conduct electricity, whether it is hard or soft, and many other
characteristics. For example, the first column of the periodic table are all alkali metals that
usually carry a 1+ charge in reactions, and react with water vigorously. Scientists gain many
useful features of the periodic table because the table can tell each element’s atomic number
and usually its atomic weight. In conclusion the periodic table is important because it is
organized to provide a great deal of information about elements and how they relate to one
another in one easy-to-use reference. The table can be used to predict the properties of
elements, even those that have not yet been discovered. Columns (groups) and rows (periods)
indicate elements that share similar characteristics. The table makes trends in element
properties apparent and easy to understand. The table provides important information used to
balance chemical equations.
In my opinion, the discovery of the periodic table does not arise from an anomaly
because Dimitri Mendeleev who is the first discovered periodic table brings some
information about elements that were discovered in the past to make and develop periodic
tables. For example, in 1669, German merchant, amateur alchemist Hennig Brand, and
Robert Boyle were the first to discover phosphorus, and in 1809 at least 47 elements were
discovered.