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Tag: elements

Image of bismuth crystals in multiple colors
Mar 08 2019

Celebrating the International Year of the Periodic Table

Posted on March 8, 2019 by Laurie Neuerburg

Colored bismuth crystals, bright copper, silicon circuits, and more shine in our new exhibit celebrating 2019: The International Year of the Periodic Table! One hundred and fifty years ago, Dmitri Mendeleev published a draft of the first Periodic Table. Mendeleev also wrote “Knowing how contented, free and joyful is life in the realms of science, one fervently wishes that many would enter their portals” in his text Principles of Chemistry. Enter the portal to the Sciences Library to test your knowledge of the elements present in household items, to view our humorous periodic tables, and to see several elements in their pure form! Thank you to Dr. Lou Messerle for loaning us his collection of element samples!

Image of bismuth crystals in multiple colorsImage of copper wire and bracelet

Posted in Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Exhibits, Geosciences, Math, PhysicsTagged elements, International Year of the Periodic Table, Mendeleev, Periodic Table
Image of ECS's The 90 natural elements that make up everything
Jan 23 2019

2019: The International Year of the Periodic Table

Posted on January 23, 2019January 28, 2020 by Laurie Neuerburg

In 1869, chemist Dmitri Mendeleev discovered patterns among elements that led him to arrange elements according to their properties into the very first periodic table. 

Several years later in 1885, the Periodische Gesetzmässigkeit der Elemente nach Mendeleiff was created, which was recently found at the University of St Andrews. This is thought to be the oldest surviving periodic table in the world! 

Now, 150 years later after Mendeleev’s discovery, the UN and UNESCO have declared 2019 to be The International Year of the Periodic Table. Learn about each of the elements through IUPAC’s interactive Periodic Table! 

Would you like to read more about the Periodic Table? Check out some of our books: 

Cover Image of The Periodic Table and a Missed Nobel Prize  The Periodic Table and a Missed Nobel Prize 

Cover Image of Faciliating Conceptual Change in Students' Understanding of the Periodic Table  Facilitating Conceptual Change in Students’ Understanding of the Periodic Table  

Cover Image of Periodic Table: A Very Short Introduction  Periodic Table: A Very Short Introduction 

Here is a version of the Periodic Table showing endangered elements: 

Image of ECS's The 90 natural elements that make up everything
Image credit: European Chemical Society. https://www.euchems.eu/euchems-periodic-table/

Elements marked with gray are from conflict minerals, all of which are used in smartphones. Elements in red are the most at risk of running out. Would you miss any of these elements if they were gone? Is there more that we can do to recycle and reuse these naturally-occurring elements? 

Here is the most up-to-date version of the Periodic Table: 

Image of 2018 IUPAC Periodic Table of the Elements
Image credit: IUPAC. https://iupac.org/what-we-do/periodic-table-of-elements/

There are now 118 elements, and the newest elements are nihonium (Nh), moscovium (Mc), tennessine (Ts), and oganesson (Og). These four new elements were created synthetically.

Interested in a competing for a limited edition Periodic Table signed by a Chemistry Nobel Laureate? Take IUPAC’s Periodic Table Challenge and enter their Nobelium Contest for a chance to win! 

Posted in Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Geosciences, Math, PhysicsTagged elements, Periodic Table

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