Honors Chemistry
Alternate Periodic Table Project
Background Information
Scientists have long sought to display information about the Elements in a format that would explain and predict
properties. A major breakthrough was achieved by Dimitri Mendeleev in 1869 in that his Periodic Table not only showed
important property relationships, but predicted properties for elements not yet discovered. Although his Table had various
errors, Mendeleev is acknowledged as the originator of the classical Periodic Table still used today.
Mendeleev’s Table underwent revisions as more elements were discovered and atomic relationships became clear. Henry
Moseley (1913) corrected the Periodic Table so that its structure is based on atomic numbers. The current design was
developed by Glenn Seaborg during the early1940’s along with his discovery of the synthetic transuranic elements from
atomic numbers 94-102. The updated design and the new elements were treated as military secrets during WW II since
they had implications for the development of the atomic bomb (The Manhattan Project). Seaborg’s work was published
after the war and earned him a Nobel Prize. Thus the “Classic” Periodic Table design has been in use for over 60 years.
However, there are limitations to a Periodic Table design that is limited to a 2 dimensional rectangular shape. Some
elements are placed in an ambiguous position such as hydrogen. Electron configurations are not always easy to see. The
inner transition elements (the ‘f’ block) are cut out of the center of the Table and placed below. As a result, Alternate
Periodic Table designs have been created which seek to overcome these limitations. There are alternative designs both in
2 and 3 dimensions, with Tables that utilize circles, spirals, pyramids, cubes, etc. All of these designs are seeking to
present better clarity in various atomic relationships and properties.
Assignment
Project is due Wednesday, November 05, 2014
Do a search on the Internet to find these designs. Entering alternate periodic table into Google yielded over 1.9 million
“hits”. This seems to be a popular idea.
In teams of 2 or 3 students, select an alternate periodic table design of your choice. You may work together with students
in any of the Honors Chemistry classes. Construct and display this alternate design. Write a ≈500 word report in which
you compare and contrast your selection with the “classic” design. Your team may be asked to present your project to the
class. (expect this!)
An Interim Report from your Team is due on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 . (See attached for details)
Grading Rubric for the project is attached. The project is scored at 60 points at the “Accomplished” level, with 5 points
extra credit available at the “Exemplary” level.
I would appreciate originality…first come, first served, if you are choosing a design
readily found on the internet…this year, I will not allow duplication, so see me with your
team’s choice as soon as possible.
Honors Chemistry
Alternate Periodic Table Project
Interim Report
Please submit an Interim Report on your project as an update on the progress of your work
Your Interim Report should be no more than ½ page in length and include:

Names of the team members (and which period class if it is a “mixed group”)

Name of the Alternate Periodic Table you have selected

One – two paragraphs describing the features and benefits of the table you have selected
Please submit your interim report by Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Alternate Periodic Table - Evaluation
Research &
Gather
Information
Beginning
Developing
Accomplished
Exemplary
1
2
3
3.25
Collects minimal
Collects a reasonable
or irrelevant
Collects limited
amount of
information that information--some
information--most
does not relate to relates to the topic.
relates to the topic.
the topic.
Collects a great deal
of information--all
relates to the topic.
3 Points
Reasonable clarity
High degree of
Design and
Design is unclear. of the design. The Good clarity of the
clarity. The features
Construction of Features are not design features are design. The concept is
of the design are
Alternate Table
apparent
somewhat
easy to understand
readily apparent
presented
6 Points
Attractive
Presentation of
Alternate
Periodic Table
6 Points
Written
Analysis of
Chosen Design
5 Points
Minimal
presentation
quality.
Somewhat
attractive in
appearance.
Limited review
and / or few
details of the
Alternate design.
Reasonable
presentation.
Attractive
Requires some
presentation. Easy to
explanation to
follow.
visualize the intent
Offers a general
review of the
features of the
Alternate design.
Very attractively
presented and
appealing.
Details the features of Thorough evaluation
the Alternate design
and analysis of the
with analysis and
Alternate design,
critique compared to plus suggestions for
the “Classic”
further improvement