The Periodic Classification of

Elements: From Mendeleev to Modern

The periodic classification of elements, also known as the periodic table, is one of the most fundamental concepts in
chemistry. From its early beginnings to its modern form, the periodic table has helped us better understand the behavior
of elements and how they interact with each other.

OF by Omar Farhat
The History of Periodic
Classification
Early Classification Attempts

Scientists have been trying to classify elements since the earliest days of chemistry,
but it wasn't until the 19th century that progress began to be made.

Dmitri Mendeleev

Mendeleev's groundbreaking work in the 1860s laid the foundation for the modern
periodic table. His periodic law stated that elements have properties that repeat
periodically with increasing atomic number.
Mendeleev's Periodic Table

Mendeleev's original periodic table was organized by atomic weight and grouped elements with similar properties
together. He left gaps for missing elements, which he correctly predicted would be discovered in the future.

Mendeleev's original periodic table

The Modern Periodic Table
Structure
The modern periodic table is structured by atomic
number rather than atomic weight. It contains 118
elements arranged in groups and periods.
Properties
The periodic table provides information about the
properties of each element, such as their atomic radius,
electronegativity, and ionization energy.
Periodic Trends

The periodic table is not just an arbitrary arrangement of elements, but provides important information about trends in
element properties. For example, elements on the left side of the table tend to be metals, while elements on the right
tend to be nonmetals. Trends in atomic radius, ionization energy, and electronegativity can be observed across periods
and groups.

An example of periodic trends chart

Grouping Elements
Group/ Family Name Characteristic Properties Representative Elements

Alkali Metals Very reactive metals that readily Lithium, Sodium, Potassium
lose their outermost electron to
form cations with a charge of +1

Transition Metals Good conductors of heat and Iron, Copper, Gold

electricity; malleable and ductile

Halogens Nonmetals with distinctive Fluorine, Chlorine, Iodine

colors, reactivity, and toxicity
Uses of Periodic Classification
• Predicting the properties of elements that aren't yet discovered

• Identifying unknown substances

• Designing new materials

• Understanding chemical reactions

Conclusion
The periodic table is a powerful tool that has helped scientists make numerous discoveries and advancements in the field
of chemistry. From its humble beginnings to its modern structure, the periodic classification of elements is a testament to
human curiosity and innovation.

The modern periodic table