Mendeleev’s Periodic Table
- Proposed by Dmitri Mendeleev in 1869.
- Based on the periodic recurrence of properties of elements when arranged in order of increasing atomic mass.
- Contained 63 known elements at the time.
- Mendeleev organized elements into rows and columns to form the periodic table.
- He left gaps in the table for undiscovered elements and predicted their properties accurately, such as gallium (eka-aluminum) and germanium (eka-silicon).
- Grouped elements with similar properties together in vertical columns, called groups.
- Highlighted periodicity, the repeating pattern of properties across rows called periods.
- Some anomalies were present due to arranging elements strictly by atomic mass (e.g., iodine and tellurium).
- Laid the foundation for the modern periodic table by emphasizing the importance of periodic trends.
- Did not consider noble gases as they were undiscovered during his time.
Modern Periodic Table
- Developed after the discovery of the atomic number by Henry Moseley in 1913.
- The modern periodic table is based on the periodic law, which states that the properties of elements are periodic functions of their atomic numbers.
- Arranges elements in order of increasing atomic number rather than atomic mass, resolving anomalies in Mendeleev's table.
- Consists of 7 periods (horizontal rows) and 18 groups (vertical columns).
- Groups are further divided into:
- Main groups: Groups 1, 2, and 13-18 (s and p block elements).
- Transition elements: Groups 3-12 (d block elements).
- Inner transition elements: Lanthanides and actinides (f block elements).
- Includes the discovery of noble gases and their placement in Group 18.
- Predicts properties of new elements based on their position in the table.
- Allows the study of periodicity in properties such as atomic radius, ionization energy, and electron affinity.
- Elements in the same group exhibit similar chemical and physical properties due to the same number of valence electrons.
- The position of elements reflects their electronic configuration.
- Groups 1 and 17 contain highly reactive elements, while Group 18 contains inert gases.
Key Differences Between Mendeleev's and Modern Periodic Table
- Mendeleev’s table was based on atomic mass, while the modern table is based on atomic number.
- The modern table resolves anomalies such as the placement of iodine and tellurium.
- Includes noble gases and the lanthanide and actinide series.
- Provides a systematic way to understand periodicity in chemical properties.
Applications of the Periodic Table
- Helps predict the properties of elements and their compounds.
- Guides the discovery of new elements.
- Used to explain chemical reactions and bonding trends.
- Facilitates the study of periodic trends like ionization energy, electronegativity, and atomic size.
- Provides a framework for understanding the behavior of metals, non-metals, and metalloids.
- Widely used in fields like chemistry, biology, physics, and material science.
Key Points
- Mendeleev’s periodic table was revolutionary but had some limitations.
- The modern periodic table, based on atomic numbers, resolved those limitations.
- Periodic trends help predict the reactivity and stability of elements.
- Understanding the periodic table is essential for success in competitive exams.