The Advantages of the Modern Periodic Table

Chemists have always tried to arrange the elements in a way such that it reflects the similarities in their properties. The elements in the modern periodic table are listed in a sequential order of their increasing atomic number (the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom). Earlier the scientists have tried to arrange the elements, using relative atomic masses. This was mainly due to the lack of development of the concept of atoms being composed of smaller subatomic particles (i.e. the protons, neutrons, and electrons). Long before the concept of the atomic number was discovered, the basis of the modern periodic table was well established and even used to predict some of the properties of undiscovered elements. 

The Modern Periodic Table

The modern periodic table arranges the elements based on their atomic numbers. “The properties of an element is the periodic function of their atomic numbers,” this is based on the modern periodic law. 

This means that if elements are placed in a tabular form according to the increasing atomic numbers, then the elements with identical properties will appear after regular intervals or periods. There is a specific periodicity in the electronic configurations of elements when elements are arranged based on their increasing atomic numbers. Periodicity in element electronic configurations results in the periodicity in element chemical properties. Similar chemical properties can be visible by the elements having similar electronic configurations.

Properties of the Modern Periodic Table.

• The most fundamental property of elements is the atomic numbers of the elements, this is used to create the modern periodic table.

• The isotopes of an element are generally placed along with the parent element.

• The reason for the periodicity in properties of elements is clearly explained in the modern periodic table. It relates the periodicity in the properties of the elements to the periodicity in their electronic configuration. It means that the properties of elements can be repeated at regular intervals as the electronic configurations of the elements are repeated at regular intervals.

• The reason why elements in a group show similar properties but elements present in different groups show different properties can be clearly explained via the modern periodic table. The elements in the table are arranged according to their electronic arrangements. All elements with comparable electronic configurations can be grouped together and they exhibit similar characteristics. Elements possessing different electronic configurations are grouped together and they also possess varying characteristics.

• No abnormalities in the arrangement of elements in the current periodic table can be seen.

Advantages of the Modern Periodic Table.

• The periodic table chart can be used as a teaching-aid in chemistry in schools and colleges.

• If the position of an element in the periodic table is known, then it becomes easier to remember all the important properties of an element. For example, the element rubidium having an atomic number of 37, is present in group 1. As we all know that the common elements of group 1 are sodium and potassium. Thus, the chemical properties of rubidium shall be similar to the properties of sodium and potassium.

• If the position of an element in the periodic table is known, then it becomes easier to predict the type of compounds that can be formed by the element. For example, if an element is present on the left side of the table, then we can easily predict that it will be metal and thus it will form only ionic compounds. Whereas if an element is present on the right side of the periodic table, then it will be a non-metal and will form both ionic as well as covalent bonds.

• The lanthanides and actinides, that usually differ from the elements of the other groups in their properties, are put at the bottom of the periodic table separately.

• Chemistry can now be studied in a systematic and a simple way only because of the periodic table. It acts as a memory aid. All of the elements are classified into a few groups in the periodic table. Each group is mainly composed of elements that have similar characteristics. It is far easier to study the properties of some elements out of each group than to study them all individually.

Conclusion

Scientists believed that the properties of elements are periodic functions of their atomic masses and depending on this assumption, Mendeleev placed 63 elements in a vertical column known as groups and in horizontal rows known as periods.

Moreover, this method of classification was not able to explain the position of some specific elements, rare earth metals, and isotopes. So, this method of classification was rejected.

Hence, in the year 1923, Henry Mosley gave a new property of elements namely the “Atomic number”. He assumed that the atomic number of an element is a more fundamental property than the atomic mass.