The Periodic Table: Its Story and Its Significance

Eric R. Scerri

Oct 2006 · Oxford University Press

About this ebook

The periodic table is one of the most potent icons in science. It lies at the core of chemistry and embodies the most fundamental principles of the field. The one definitive text on the development of the periodic table by van Spronsen (1969), has been out of print for a considerable time. The present book provides a successor to van Spronsen, but goes further in giving an evaluation of the extent to which modern physics has, or has not, explained the periodic system. The book is written in a lively style to appeal to experts and interested lay-persons alike. The Periodic Table begins with an overview of the importance of the periodic table and of the elements and it examines the manner in which the term 'element' has been interpreted by chemists and philosophers. The book then turns to a systematic account of the early developments that led to the classification of the elements including the work of Lavoisier, Boyle and Dalton and Cannizzaro. The precursors to the periodic system, like Döbereiner and Gmelin, are discussed. In chapter 3 the discovery of the periodic system by six independent scientists is examined in detail. Two chapters are devoted to the discoveries of Mendeleev, the leading discoverer, including his predictions of new elements and his accommodation of already existing elements. Chapters 6 and 7 consider the impact of physics including the discoveries of radioactivity and isotopy and successive theories of the electron including Bohr's quantum theoretical approach. Chapter 8 discusses the response to the new physical theories by chemists such as Lewis and Bury who were able to draw on detailed chemical knowledge to correct some of the early electronic configurations published by Bohr and others. Chapter 9 provides a critical analysis of the extent to which modern quantum mechanics is, or is not, able to explain the periodic system from first principles. Finally, chapter 10 considers the way that the elements evolved following the Big Bang and in the interior of stars. The book closes with an examination of further chemical aspects including lesser known trends within the periodic system such as the knight's move relationship and secondary periodicity, as well at attempts to explain such trends.

Ratings and reviews

Some time back I read about Dimitri Mendeleev (1834-1907), creator of the most complete Periodic Table, and his life story seemed interesting. I did a quick search on Amazon a few months back about found this book. Only problem is a single chapter talks about Mendeleev and this book is on a high collegiate level. I was able to follow about 90% of the book, but in the last 1/3 of the material he really lost me. The book was good for the most part, but I go away with the feeling the author did not accomplish his goal. He claims he wanted to give a more Philosophical look at the development of the Periodic Table, and he did much to get in the heads of the main players, but to say it was more than an advanced history lesson would be a stretch. wrote: Nov. 11th, 2010 02:01 am (UTC) Periodic Table Thanks for your comment on my book. I am sorry you did not find it sufficiently philosophical. Are you sure you read and digested the sections on reduction or realism regarding the periodic table? Then there is the prediction - accommodation issue over Mendeleev's work. The book is not supposed to be about just Mendeleev but about the periodic table as a whole. But as a matter of fact two not just one chapter are about Mendeleev. All the best Dr. Eric Scerri UCLA mbeauchamp wrote: Nov. 13th, 2010 03:24 pm Re: Periodic Table Dear Dr. Scerri I never expect anyone to read my journal putting short notes about the books I read, generally, for my own benefit to later review. I am humbled that you, as the author, would take the time to make a comment. I apologize for the error I made stating that Mendeleev was only covered by a single chapter. In my original short review of your book I did not expand how I was impressed with the "build up" to Mendeleev. How his work was on the shoulders of so many that came before was made clear. From your explanations and quoted sources I felt I would not have understood this fact from a book only about Mendeleev. That was a significant take away for me that I did not share before. I did see how you brought in these many philosophies and continued through Mendeleev. I did review parts of your book to reply to your comments and think maybe I should express my thoughts another way. The philosophy is developed in the development of the Periodic Table with your book, but it is not "spoon feed" to the reader. As expressed before your book is above my level. This became more apparent for me the further I read in your book. I still feel that your book deviated from the philosophical and went heavy scientific the further you read into the book I have not studied chemistry at any level. My field is in computer hardware and networks. I did enjoy reading your book as I like to push myself outside my traditional field to expand my understanding. I hope I did not offed you in any way with my review. As I pointed out earlier your book was probably the best first book to read in my endeavor to learn more about Mendeleev.

INTRODUCTION......... Mendeleev's periodic table was arranged on the basis of the ascending order of atomic masses of elementsbut position of some elements had to be changed due to their similarity with other elements e.g.39K should be plzced in group zero,and 39.9Ar should be a member of group1.But due to their properties 39K was given a place in group1 and 39.9Ar in group1 and grop zero.. PROPERTIES............ 1.)Elements in this table have been aranged in ascending order of theis atomic number in such a way that similar element are repeated after regular antervals. such vertical arrangement of smilar elements constitutes a group. ..................... 2.)total number of is group 8(I to VII). Group 1 to 8 are futher divided into sub-groups A and B.zero group contains nobel gases and is placed on the extreme right of the table group 8 is placed atthe center of the table and contains three set of three elements each. ........................... 3.)numbre of period is seven. fist period contians two elements hydrogen and helium .second and thid period belong to eight elements each whereas fourth and fifth periods contians eighteenelements each. sixth period is incomplete and contains twenty four elements with atomic numbers 87 to 109.

Vol. 95 (2), 25 June 2008

About the author

Dr. Eric Scerri is a leading philosopher of science specializing in the history and philosophy of the periodic table. He is also the founder and editor in chief of the international journal Foundations of Chemistry and has been a full-time lecturer at UCLA for the past ten years where he regularly teaches classes of 350 chemistry students as well as classes in history and philosophy of science.