The periodic table of elements is a tabular representation of the chemical elements present in our atmosphere designed by Russian chemist and inventor, Dmitri Mendeleev. The periodic table explains and details basic information with regards to the properties of elements.
It was in 1869 that Mendeleev designed the periodic table in an effort to classify the elements according to their physical and chemical properties. His studies led him to intercepting logical patterns that correlates within each element. Mendeleev published and presented the product of his ingenious mind in the Russian Chemical Society.
Mendeleev entitled his tabulated presentation, “The Dependence between the Properties of the Atomic Weights of the Elements”. His work gives details on each known elements atomic weight and the number of chemical bonds each element have, known as valence. Mendeleev further reiterated that there are some other unknown elements that can complete the logical sequence of his version of the periodic table.
Despite the fact that Mendeleev was credited for the development of the periodic table. Some scientific experts and historians dogmatically claim that other similar works has also been created during the early part of the 1860s even before Mendeleev released his periodic table.
In 1864, a German chemist named, Lothar Meyer published his so-called periodic classification of the elements which points out that elements are proportionately arranged in consideration of each of their atomic weights. His book “Die modernen Theorien der Chemie,” showed a tabulated form of the 28 known elements’ classification.
Meyer grouped the elements according to their valance – a first in the history of chemistry.
In 1865, John Alexander Reina Newlands, a product of the Royal College of Chemistry – one of the most prestigious science schools in London, devised arranged his own version of the periodic table of elements, classifying elements based on their relative atomic weight. He named the arrangement as the “law of octaves.” However, instead of praise, Newlands received various criticisms and was even ridiculed for his concept.
Through the years, the works of Mendeleev, Meyer and Newlands have been combined an undergone various improvements and renovations with regards to newly discovered elements.
The periodic table of elements serves as a theoretical foundation and conceptual framework in the study of chemistry and other chemical sciences.
The value of the table lies with its uncanny ability to predict the chemical properties of an element merely based on its arrangement on the periodic table.
