ATTEMPT OF CLASSIFICATION

— Dobereiner’s Triads – Explanation and Method

Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner, a German chemist, proposed

Dobereiner’s Triads in 1817 as one of the earliest methods for
classifying elements. His classification was based on atomic mass
and chemical properties.

Method of Dobereiner’s Triads

1. Grouping of Elements into Triads

Döbereiner arranged elements in groups of three, where the

elements in each group had similar chemical properties.

He called these groups "Triads."

2. Atomic Mass Relationship

He observed that the atomic mass of the middle element in a

triad was approximately equal to the average of the atomic
masses of the first and third elements.

3. Similar Physical and Chemical Properties

The elements in each triad had similar chemical behavior, such as

reactivity and valency.

They also had gradual changes in physical properties like density,

melting point, and boiling point.

4. Mathematical Verification

The atomic mass relationship in each triad could be verified using

a simple arithmetic formula:
Atomic mass of the middle element ≈ (Atomic mass of the first
element + Atomic mass of the third element) / 2

Examples of Dobereiner’s Triads

1. Alkali Metal Triad (Lithium, Sodium, Potassium)

Lithium (Li) has an atomic mass of 7.

Sodium (Na) has an atomic mass of 23.

Potassium (K) has an atomic mass of 39.

The atomic mass of sodium (23) is approximately the average of

lithium (7) and potassium (39).

These elements are highly reactive metals, belong to Group 1 of

the periodic table, and have a valency of +1.

2. Alkaline Earth Metal Triad (Calcium, Strontium, Barium)

Calcium (Ca) has an atomic mass of 40.

Strontium (Sr) has an atomic mass of 88.

Barium (Ba) has an atomic mass of 137.

The atomic mass of strontium (88) is approximately the average

of calcium (40) and barium (137).

These elements are found in Group 2, have a valency of +2, and

form basic oxides.

3. Halogen Triad (Chlorine, Bromine, Iodine)

Chlorine (Cl) has an atomic mass of 35.5.

Bromine (Br) has an atomic mass of 80.

Iodine (I) has an atomic mass of 127.

The atomic mass of bromine (80) is approximately the average of

chlorine (35.5) and iodine (127).

These elements belong to Group 17, are highly reactive

nonmetals, and form diatomic molecules (Cl₂, Br₂, I₂).

Importance of Dobereiner’s Triads

1. First Step Towards Periodic Classification

Döbereiner’s Triads were one of the first attempts to classify
elements based on atomic mass and chemical properties.

2. Identified Atomic Mass Patterns

He recognized that atomic mass played a key role in organizing

elements, a concept later used in the Periodic Table.

3. Foundation for Future Classifications

His work influenced later developments like Newlands’ Law of

Octaves and Mendeleev’s Periodic Table.

Limitations of Dobereiner’s Triads

1. Limited Number of Elements Classified

Only a few elements could be arranged into triads, and many

elements did not fit this pattern.

2. Not Applicable to All Elements

Some elements with similar properties did not follow the triad
rule.

3. Did Not Work for Newly Discovered Elements

As more elements were discovered, the triad system could not

accommodate them properly.

Conclusion
Although Döbereiner’s Triads had limitations, they were an
important step toward the development of the periodic
classification of elements. His work laid the foundation for more
advanced classification methods, leading to Mendeleev’s Periodic
Table, which successfully arranged elements based on their
atomic masses and chemical properties.
— Newlands' Law of Octaves – Explanation and Method

In 1864, English chemist John Newlands proposed the Law of

Octaves, one of the earliest attempts to classify elements in a
systematic way. His classification was based on the relationship
between atomic masses and chemical properties.

Method of Newlands' Law of Octaves

1. Arrangement of Elements in Increasing Order of Atomic Mass

Newlands arranged the known elements in order of increasing

atomic mass.

He noticed a pattern in their chemical properties.

2. Periodic Recurrence of Properties Every Eighth Element

He observed that every eighth element had properties similar to

the first element, just like musical notes repeat in an octave (Do,
Re, Mi, Fa, So, La, Ti, Do).
This repetition of properties after every seven elements led him to
call it the Law of Octaves.

3. Grouping Elements Based on Similar Chemical Properties

Elements with similar properties were placed in the same vertical

column.

4. Recognized Early Periodicity

Newlands was one of the first scientists to recognize that element

properties repeat at regular intervals, which later became the
foundation of the Modern Periodic Table.

Example of Newlands' Law of Octaves

When elements were arranged in increasing order of atomic mass,

Newlands noticed that:

Lithium (Li) and Sodium (Na) had similar properties.

Beryllium (Be) and Magnesium (Mg) showed similar behavior.

Fluorine (F) and Chlorine (Cl) had comparable chemical

characteristics.

These elements appeared at intervals of eight, confirming the

octave pattern.

Importance of Newlands' Law of Octaves

1. First Attempt at Periodic Classification

Newlands’ work was the first serious attempt to classify elements

based on atomic mass and chemical properties.

2. Introduced the Concept of Periodicity

His idea that properties repeat at regular intervals helped develop

the Modern Periodic Law.

3. Inspired Future Periodic Tables

His classification system influenced later scientists, including
Dmitri Mendeleev, who refined the periodic classification of
elements.

Limitations of Newlands' Law of Octaves

1. Did Not Work for All Elements

The pattern only worked for lighter elements (up to calcium,

atomic number 20).

After calcium, the periodicity broke down, and elements did not
follow the octave rule.

2. No Space for Undiscovered Elements

Newlands did not leave gaps for elements that had not yet been
discovered.

When new elements were later found, his table failed to

accommodate them properly.

3. Grouping of Dissimilar Elements

Some elements with completely different properties were placed

in the same group.

For example, Cobalt (Co) and Nickel (Ni) were grouped with
halogens like Fluorine (F) and Chlorine (Cl), which was incorrect.

4. No Explanation for Transition Metals

His classification failed to account for transition metals, which did

not fit the octave pattern.

Conclusion

Newlands' Law of Octaves was an important step in the periodic

classification of elements. Even though it had several limitations,
it introduced the idea of periodicity, which later became a
fundamental principle in chemistry. His work laid the groundwork
for Mendeleev’s Periodic Table, which successfully addressed the
flaws in Newlands’ system and became the basis of the modern
periodic table.

— Mendeleev’s Periodic Table – Explanation and Method

In 1869, Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev developed the

Mendeleev Periodic Table, which was the most significant
advancement in classifying elements at the time. His table
arranged elements based on atomic mass and chemical
properties, paving the way for the modern periodic table.

Method of Mendeleev’s Periodic Table

1. Arrangement of Elements in Increasing Order of Atomic Mass

Mendeleev arranged the 63 known elements in order of increasing

atomic mass.

He observed a periodic recurrence of chemical and physical

properties.

2. Periodic Law

He formulated the Periodic Law, which states:

"The properties of elements are a periodic function of their atomic
masses."

This means that elements with similar properties appear at

regular intervals in the table.

3. Elements Placed in Groups and Periods

The table was divided into vertical columns (Groups) and
horizontal rows (Periods).

Elements in the same group had similar properties.

4. Prediction of Undiscovered Elements

Mendeleev left gaps in his periodic table for elements that had
not yet been discovered.

He even predicted the properties of these missing elements.

Later, elements like Gallium (Ga), Germanium (Ge), and Scandium

(Sc) were discovered, and their properties closely matched
Mendeleev’s predictions.

5. Correction of Atomic Masses

Some atomic masses were incorrect at the time.

Mendeleev revised atomic masses to fit elements correctly in the

table.

6. Elements in a Group Showed Gradual Changes

Elements in the same group exhibited gradual variations in

properties such as atomic size, melting point, and reactivity.

Structure of Mendeleev’s Periodic Table

1. Groups:

There were 8 vertical columns (Groups I to VIII).

Each group contained elements with similar chemical properties.

2. Periods:

There were 6 horizontal rows (Periods 1 to 6).

The properties of elements changed gradually across a period.

Advantages of Mendeleev’s Periodic Table

1. Systematic Classification of Elements

It successfully grouped elements with similar properties together.

2. Prediction of New Elements

Mendeleev accurately predicted the properties of undiscovered

elements, which were later found and confirmed.

3. Correction of Atomic Masses

He helped correct the atomic masses of several elements based

on their proper placement in the table.

4. Identification of Periodicity

He established that element properties repeat periodically as

atomic mass increases.

Limitations of Mendeleev’s Periodic Table

1. Irregular Placement of Some Elements

Some elements did not fit the increasing atomic mass order.

Example: Cobalt (Co, 58.9) was placed before Nickel (Ni, 58.7)
due to their properties.

2. Position of Hydrogen Was Unclear

Hydrogen had properties similar to both Alkali metals (Group I)

and Halogens (Group VII), making its placement uncertain.

3. No Fixed Position for Isotopes

Isotopes (atoms of the same element with different atomic

masses) were not considered.

4. Did Not Explain Transition Elements Properly

The classification of transition metals was not well-defined.

5. No Explanation for Atomic Structure

Mendeleev’s table was based only on atomic mass, but later,

Moseley’s discovery of atomic number showed that elements
should be arranged by atomic number, not atomic mass.

Conclusion

Mendeleev’s Periodic Table was a groundbreaking achievement in

chemistry. Despite its limitations, it provided a strong foundation
for the development of the Modern Periodic Table, which is based
on atomic number instead of atomic mass. His ability to predict
new elements and recognize periodic trends made his work one of
the most important contributions to chemistry.