Uses of the Modern Periodic Table

The periodic table enlists all the elements that are known to man, all these are arranged in an increasing order of atomic number and recurrent chemical properties. According to the modern periodic table, the physical and chemical properties of the elements represent the periodic functions of their atomic numbers. 

The periodic table, also referred to as the periodic table of the chemical elements, is a tabular representation of the chemical elements. It is most widely used in chemistry, physics, and other sciences as well, and is usually seen as an icon of chemistry. It is a graphic formulation of the periodic law, it states that the properties of the chemical elements possess a periodic dependence on their atomic numbers. The first periodic table that was widely accepted was that of the Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev in 1869: he formulated the periodic law as a dependence of chemical properties based on the atomic mass. As not all elements were known then, there were some gaps in his periodic table, and Mendeleev successfully used the periodic law to predict the properties of some of the missing elements. The periodic law was then recognized as a fundamental discovery in the late 19th century, and it was explained with the discovery of the atomic number.  

Importance of Modern Periodic Table

Based on atomic number 

The arrangement of elements in the modern periodic table is totally based on their increasing order of atomic number. Atomic number increases by only 1 unit (not fractional) on moving from one element to the next element and it is equal to the number of electrons. Hence, the modern periodic table is easier to understand and remember than Mendeleev’s periodic table.

Prediction of new elements and properties 

Prediction of new elements, position in periodic table and properties of new and other elements can be easily made with precision, when elements are arranged in an order of increasing atomic number. This case was  impossible in Mendeleev’s periodic table since in it the atomic masses never increase in a regular manner.

Justification of anomalous position of some pairs of elements 

Like Co and Ni, Te and I etc. By arranging these in order of their increasing atomic number, these elements are arranged in groups that possess similar properties; this was the limitation of Mendeleev’s Periodic table.

Position of Isotopes 

Isotopes of an element are the ones that possess different atomic masses but the same atomic number. Thus, in the Modern Periodic table, there is no confusion in their position since all isotopes of an element are placed at one place because of their similar atomic number. For e.g. C12  , C13  and   C14  – all these three isotopes of carbon possess similar atomic number i.e. 12 and are placed in group 14 and 1st period.

Limitation of Modern Periodic Table

Hydrogen does not have any fixed position in the modern periodic table similar to Mendeleev’s periodic table. Hydrogen was thought to be placed either in group 1 or group 17 in the first period since it shows similarity in properties with both the groups.

The atomic number of an element never gets changed, this means that the number of protons in the nucleus of every atom in an element is always the same. This can be seen in all hydrogen atoms, and only hydrogen atoms, which consist of one proton and have an atomic number of 1. or All carbon atoms, contain six protons and possess an atomic number of 6. Oxygen atoms comprises about 8 protons and also have an atomic number of 8.

Atom’s mass number 

• All atoms have a mass number which is derived as follows.

• Mass number = Number of neutrons + Number of protons

• An element or isotope’s atomic number helps us to describe how many protons are present in its atoms.

• An element’s isotope’s mass number defines how many protons and neutrons are there in its atoms.

Uses of Modern Periodic Table

Position of isotopes: All isotopes of an element possess a similar atomic number. Thus, they occupy the same position in the modern periodic table. Hence, the modern periodic table helps us to determine the position of the isotopes.

Anomalous pairs: When we use atomic number as the basis of classification, the anomaly of the pairs disappears. For example, cobalt (atomic number 27) will come before nickel (atomic number 28), even though its atomic mass is a little higher than nickel.

Electronic configuration: In the modern periodic table, the elements that have a specific pattern of electronic configuration are placed in the same group. Thus, this classification is related to the properties of elements and also to their electronic configurations.

Separation of metals and non-metals: The modern periodic table helps us to establish the position of metals, non-metals, and metalloids.

Position of transition metals: the modern periodic table makes the position of the transition elements quite clear.

Properties of elements: It establishes a difference between trends, and variations in the properties of the elements in the periodic table.

This modern periodic table is a simple, systematic, and easy way that helps in remembering the properties of different metals.

Conclusion

In conclusion we can say that the periodic table is important as it is organized to provide a great deal of information about the elements and how they relate to one another. The modern periodic table might be used to predict the properties of elements, even those that have not yet been discovered. Columns (i.e. the groups) and rows (the periods) represent elements that possess similar characteristics. It helps in making the trends in element properties easy to understand. This table provides useful information that can be used in balancing chemical equations.