The periodic table is a display of the chemical elements. It was first invented in 1869 by Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev. Over time the periodic table has been refined and extended due to the development of new elements. The periodic table classifies, and compares many different forms of chemical elements and their behaviors.
In 1789 Antonine Havoiser grouped the available 33 chemical elements into four groups. An elements was classified as either gas, metal, non-metal, and earth classification groups. In 1829 however, a new group of triands was added for elements having a composition of three or more noticeable compound groups. Later in history a German chemist would identify 10-triands, and three groups of four elements, and one compound element that had a group of five. With the development of modern configurations the last noted naturally-occurring element was Francium discovered and added to the periodic table in 1939.
The periodic table has changed dramatically from 1869 when less than 20 elements were categorized to 117 elements in 2006. Of the 117 chemical elements on the periodic table only 94 are found on earth in their natural form. The remaining 23 elements are synthetic and have been artificially produced or altered in particle accelerators.
Some of the most recent elements on the periodic table have yet to be given a name. So below are the number they will have on the periodic table and a description of one element:
In June 2009 element 112 was discovered. Being 227 times heavier than Hydrogen, this element is now the heaviest one known on the periodic table since the discovery of Roentgenium. In 1996 element 112 was created with an accelerator, since scientists are still pondering the name of element 112 when a name is decided upon it will be crowned the newest member of the periodic table.
There are spproximatly six new wlements that are due to be named and placed on the periodic table. Elements 110, 111, 112, 114, 116, and 118 have been discovered but not officially on the periodic table.
Here are the latest three elements to be named and placed on the periodic table:
1995-2005
* Ununbium.
Ununbium is an element that was produced by fusing a zinc atom with a lead atom. It is classified in the category of transition medal and its name derived from the famous scientist Nicolaus Copernicus.
1985-1996
Scientists discovered two elements in this decade and they were placed on the periodic table.
* Roentgenium (Ununumium)
An element placed in the transitional metal category and was named for William Roentgen who was the man that discovered the x-ray.
Darmstadtium (Ununnilium)
This is a man made radio active element placed in the transition medal category. It was named for Darmstandt, Germany where the element was first discovered.
The periodic table has come a very long way in the centuries of its existance. New discoveries and developments are always on the horizon. The newest elements will be placed on the periodic table as soon as chemist have a proper name for them.
