Chemistry ch-3

Periodic Classification of Elements refers to the arrangement of elements on the basis
of the periodic repetition of their properties. It means the elements which exhibit
similar properties on a regular interval are placed in the same group.
In this article, we will learn about, History of the Classification of Elements, various
ways to classify elements, their drawbacks, and others in detail in this article.
Classification of Elements
Elements are the basic units that make up all matter in our surroundings. Earlier, only 31
chemical elements were discovered in 1800. Around 63 new elements were discovered
in 1865. This necessitated the periodic classification of elements as it was difficult to
remember the properties of each element. Hence, if we put all the alike elements in the
same group we can predict the properties of each element of that group. There are
presently 118 elements that we are aware of.
History of Classification of Elements

The Periodic Table which we learn today is not the result of a single effort. There have
been several attempts in the past to classify elements, however, few got succeed and
even these tables had some drawbacks and hence were revised by new classifications.
Hence, the Modern Periodic table evolved over the period. Some of the successful
attempts to classify elements are listed below:
• Dobernier Triad
• Newland Law of Octaves
• Lother Meyer Arrangement
• Mendleeves Periodic Table
• Modern Periodic Table
Dobernier Triad
In 1829, Dobernier attempted the first-ever classification of elements. He placed 3
elements in a group and stated that the mass of the middle element is equal to the
arithmetic mean of the other two elements. He made 3 such groups. The group formed
by him is shown below:
Li Ca Cl
Na Sr Br
K Ba I
In the first group, the atomic mass of Li is 7 and K is 39. If we find the mean of atomic
masses of Li and K it will be (7 + 39)/2 = 46/2 = 23 which is the atomic mass of Sodium.
This property was followed in the three groups formed.
Drawbacks of Dobernier's Triad
The drawbacks of the Dobernier's Triads are discussed below,
• Dobernier could only form three such triads out of 30 elements

that were known at that time.
• Dobernier Triad was not applicable to very low or very high atomic
mass elements
• In the case of F, Cl, and Br, the rule of arithmetic mean is not valid,
although F, Cl, and Br are placed in the same order in the modern
periodic table.
Newland Law of Octaves

Newland, a British Chemist made an attempt in 1865 to arrange atoms in increasing
order of their atomic mass. He stated that when atoms are arranged on the basis of
increasing order of the mass then every eighth element exhibits similar properties. This
arrangement was based on his understanding of musical notes where the word repeats
after every 7th interval. It is similar to Indian Musical Note Sa, Re, Ga, Ma.....
The elements arranged in Newlands law of Octaves are discussed in the image below,
Drawbacks of Newland Law of Octaves
The drawbacks of the Newland Law of Octaves are discussed below,
• It was applicable only to Calcium. After Calcium, every eighth

element didn't resemble the properties.
• Dissimilar elements were placed in the same group while similar
atoms were placed in different groups. For Example, Iron was placed
with Oxygen and Sulphur.
• Some groups contain two elements in one place. For Example, Co &
Ni.
Lother Meyer's Arrangement
In 1869, Lother Meyer a German Chemist stated that when elements are arranged in
order of increasing atomic mass then elements exhibit similar properties at regular
intervals.
Mendleeve's Periodic Table

Mendeleev in the same year 1869 unknown of the Lother Meyer's arrangement gave the
most successful and detailed periodic table. He stated that "The properties of elements
whether physical or chemical are periodic functions of their atomic masses". Based on his
law he arranged all the attempts known at that time in a table called the Periodic Table,
which later on became the basis of the arrangement of elements for the Modern Periodic
Table. He called the vertical column 'Groups' and horizontal rows 'Periods'.
Features of Mendeleeve's Periodic Table
Important features of Mendeleeve's Periodic Table are listed below:
• It was the most simplified arrangement of elements based on their

properties. One can easily guess the property of elements placed in
a particular group.
• He corrected the atomic masses of elements such as Beryllium, Gold,
Indium, etc.
• He left vacant positions for some elements that were not known at
that time but he predicted such elements would exist in the future.
He added the prefix 'eka' to those elements. For Example, Eka
Aluminium was Gallium, Eka-Silicon was Germanium.
Drawbacks of Mendeleeve's Periodic Table
Following are the drawbacks of Mendeleeve's Defect
• The position of Hydrogen was not defined. Hydrogen resembles

properties with that of alkali metals as well as halogens but was
placed in the group of alkali metals. He couldn't explain why
hydrogen will not be in the halogen group although both are
nonmetals.
• There exists anomalous pair in the table which would not follow the
law of increasing atomic weight. For Example, Argon (39.9 u) was
placed before K (39.1) and Co was placed before Ni.
• Since the table was based on increasing order of atomic mass but
the position of isotopes was not defined as isotopes have different
masses.
• The position of Lanthanoids and Actinoids was not assigned
separately.
• Similar atoms were placed in different groups while dissimilar
atoms were placed in the same groups. For example, Alkali Metals
Li, Na, and K were placed together with Cu, Ag, and Au, even though
their properties are quite dissimilar.
Modern Periodic Table

Modern Periodic Table is a long-form periodic classification of elements based on the
electronic configuration of elements. Modern Periodic Table has vertical columns called
'Groups' and horizontal rows called 'Periods'. There are 18 Groups and 7 Periods in
Modern Periodic Table. The Modern Periodic Table was given by Henry Mosley in 1913.
• Noble gas elements: Noble gases are elements in the modern periodic table's
group 18. The electronic configuration of this group's first element (helium) is 1s 2.
The rest of the elements (neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon) have an
ns2 np6 outer shell electronic configuration. Since the octet of these elements is
complete, they are extremely stable.
• Representative elements: S-block and p-block elements are examples of
representative elements. The elements in groups 1 and 2 are referred to as s –
block elements (elements with 1s2 and 2s2 outermost configuration). Groups 13-
17 are known as the p-block elements (outermost configuration varies from
ns2 np1 to ns2 np5).
• Transition elements: Transition elements are elements that belong to groups 3
to 12 and have an outer shell electronic configuration of (n-1)d1-10 ns1-2. These
elements are also referred to as d-block elements.
• Inner transition elements: The inner transition elements are the lanthanides
and actinides series, which are found at the bottom of the periodic table. The 4f
and 5f orbitals are partially filled in these elements, giving them unique properties.
• Alkali and Alkaline Earth metals: The first two groups on the periodic table's
left side are made up of highly reactive elements (except hydrogen). The Elements
of the first group are called Alkali Metals, while the elements of the second group
are called Alkaline Earth Metals
• Metalloids and non-metals: Metalloids are typically found in a diagonal line on
the periodic table's right side. These are the elements that separate metals on the
left side of the periodic table from non-metals on the right. Because these elements
have properties of both metals and nonmetals, they are referred to as metalloids.
Some General Trends of Periodicity in Modern Periodic Table
Atomic Radius: It is the distance from the center of the nucleus to the valence shell of
the atom. In Modern Periodic Table, Atomic Radius decreases as we go left to right in a
period, and the atomic radius increases as we go down the group.
Ionization Potential: It is the ability of an atom to lose electrons from its valence shell.
Higher Ionization Potential means difficult to lose electrons while lower ionization
potential means easy to lose electrons. As we go down the group ionization potential
decreases and as we move left to right in a group ionization potential increases.
Electronegativity: It refers to the ability of shared pairs of electrons by an element in a

molecule. Electronegativity decreases as we go down the group and increases as we move
left to right in a period. The most electronegative elements are F > O > N.
Metallic Character: Metals are elements that lose electrons and gain positive charge. The
ability to lose electrons is given by ionization potential. Hence as we go down the group
metallic character increases and as we move left to right in a period metallic character
decreases.
Note: It should be noted that the above trend in properties is general in nature. There
exist exceptions in between which we will discuss later.
Read More,
the Periods and Groups of the Periodic Table
• Position of Elements in the Periodic Table

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Periodic Classification of Elements refers to the arrangement of elements on the basis

History of Classification of Elements

Drawbacks of Dobernier's Triad

The drawbacks of the Dobernier's Triads are discussed below,

• Dobernier could only form three such triads out of 30 elements

Newland Law of Octaves

The drawbacks of the Newland Law of Octaves are discussed below,

• It was applicable only to Calcium. After Calcium, every eighth

Lother Meyer's Arrangement

Mendleeve's Periodic Table

Features of Mendeleeve's Periodic Table

Important features of Mendeleeve's Periodic Table are listed below:

• It was the most simplified arrangement of elements based on their

Drawbacks of Mendeleeve's Periodic Table

Following are the drawbacks of Mendeleeve's Defect

• The position of Hydrogen was not defined. Hydrogen resembles

Modern Periodic Table

Some General Trends of Periodicity in Modern Periodic Table

Electronegativity: It refers to the ability of shared pairs of electrons by an element in a

• Position of Elements in the Periodic Table

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