The Periodic Table: Its Story and Its Significance

by Eric Scerri

The periodic table is one of the most potent icons in science. It lies at the core of chemistry and embodies the most fundamental principles of the field. The one definitive text on the development of the periodic table by van Spronsen (1969), has been out of print for a considerable time. The present book provides a successor to van Spronsen, but goes further in giving an evaluation of the extent to which modern physics has, or has not, explained the periodic system. The book is written in a lively style to appeal to experts and interested lay-persons alike.

The Periodic Table begins with an overview of the importance of the periodic table and of the elements and it examines the manner in which the term 'element' has been interpreted by chemists and philosophers. The book then turns to a systematic account of the early developments that led to the classification of the elements including the work of Lavoisier, Boyle and Dalton and Cannizzaro. The precursors to the periodic system, like Döbereiner and Gmelin, are discussed. In chapter 3 the discovery of the periodic system by six independent scientists is examined in detail.

Two chapters are devoted to the discoveries of Mendeleev, the leading discoverer, including his predictions of new elements and his accommodation of already existing elements. Chapters 6 and 7 consider the impact of physics including the discoveries of radioactivity and isotopy and successive theories of the electron including Bohr's quantum theoretical approach. Chapter 8 discusses the response to the new physical theories by chemists such as Lewis and Bury who were able to draw on detailed chemical knowledge to correct some of the early electronic configurations published by Bohr and others.

Chapter 9 provides a critical analysis of the extent to which modern quantum mechanics is, or is not, able to explain the periodic system from first principles. Finally, chapter 10 considers the way that the elements evolved following the Big Bang and in the interior of stars. The book closes with an examination of further chemical aspects including lesser known trends within the periodic system such as the knight's move relationship and secondary periodicity, as well at attempts to explain such trends.

Genres: Science, Chemistry, History, Nonfiction, History Of Science, Philosophy, Physics

368 pages, Hardcover

First published September 15, 2006

About the author

Eric Scerri is a chemist, writer and philosopher of science, of Maltese origin. He is a lecturer at the University of California, Los Angeles; and the founder and editor-in-chief of Foundations of Chemistry, an international peer reviewed journal covering the history and philosophy of chemistry, and chemical education.

He is a world authority on the history and philosophy of the periodic table and is the author and editor of several books in this and related fields.

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. This one book, more than any other non-textbook, has convinced me that I need to change the content of my college level General Chemistry lectures. There are dozens of things that I realize now that were historically inaccurate in nearly every General Chemistry book I've ever used. I would encourage every physics and chemistry teacher or professor to read this book. A big thanks to Eric Scerri for writing such a well-researched account of the development of the periodic table.

[Skylar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a discussion of individual chemical elements, rather it is a discussion of the centuries of research (some ongoing!) into the relationships between these elements. Along the way, Scerri expertly separates the physics from the chemistry from the philosophy. I would highly recommend this to anyone with an interest in the philosophy and history of science in general, though it does benefit from some basic knowledge of chemistry and physics.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was intended to satisfy my craving for a good pop-sci book on chemistry. While there are hundreds of books covering a wide variety of topics in physics, it seems like there are relatively few books for the general reader that are about chemistry. Maybe it's because, as the author of this book, Eric Scerri, argues, most people believe that chemistry ultimately reduces to physics, and quantum mechanics in particular, and so they want to go straight to the source. Or maybe it's because chemistry is viewed as less glamorous and more antiquated than things like cutting-edge particle physics and cosmology.

While the periodic table, as the title suggests, is the central object of study in this book, the author covers a wide range of topics in chemistry and physics, while at the same time making fascinating arguments and observations about the history and philosophy of science. Most of the book is focused on the historical development of the concept of periodicity and early versions of the periodic table. Mendeleev takes center stage, but there are a wide variety of other interesting and important players in the development of the periodic table. The remainder of the book discusses the interplay between chemistry and modern atomic theory, including quantum mechanics, along with some fascinating facts about the elements and periodicity.

One of the central arguments is that periodicity and the properties of the elements are not entirely reducible to quantum mechanics, at least not yet. To me this sounds a bit like the grumblings of a chemist with an axe to grind, and I'm not sure I'm entirely convinced (but this can be taken with a grain of salt coming from a largely ignorant layman). However, I did find the arguments and evidence to be completely fascinating, and it is certainly thought-provoking to say the least. The most fascinating discussions to me were those surrounding the questions about the ontological reality of the elements and chemical periodicity. This was accompanied by the discussion of a rather subtle distinction between elements as 'basic substances' and 'simple substances'.

After reading this book, I am left with the impression that chemistry is a rich and fascinating field and that the interaction between the modern fields of chemistry and physics is much more subtle than is commonly believed. Scerri observes that many people, including many chemists and physicists, believe that the periodicity and electronic structure of the elements was completely explained by Bohr with his first forays into quantum theory. However, he argues, much of modern atomic theory, including the structure of atomic orbitals, was developed as the result of the careful study of chemical properties of the elements, rather than theories based on purely electronic configurations.

This book is a fascinating read, and is extremely well written. My only criticism, which is purely a matter of opinion, is that in some parts the content is too technical to be fully appreciated (or understood at all) by someone outside the field. However, these technical sections were generally very brief and did not detract from the overall narrative. I believe this book would be very difficult for someone who has had no previous exposure to basic concepts in modern atomic theory and quantum mechanics, though.

[Mike Parkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book on the theory and history of the periodic table (not so much the properties of individual elements). Scerri’s book and Brock’s “Norton History of Chemistry” are the two must-reads I have come across for a historical look at the foundations of chemistry. This has got it all – from the Greeks up to the latest work on quantum chemistry and synthesizing new elements. Just the right level of difficulty for me, falling between a pop-sci book and an advanced textbook. Very interesting to see that the rules we learn in high school chemistry regarding electron orbitals and filling electron shells are semi-empirical and still can’t be fully deduced from first principles in quantum mechanics. Be sure to get the updated 2nd edition, which adds additional content.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scerri is a fantastic chemistry historian; especially when it comes to the formation of the Periodic Table of Elements.

As a person with my Master's degree in Chemistry, as well as my current occupation as a Chemistry Professor; I learned SO MUCH from this book.

I honestly can't wait to include the information I've learned about the history of the Periodic Table of the Elements as well as Chemistry in general to my students; hopefully some of them will be just as intruiged as I was to learn this information

If you are interested in any of the following fields of knowledge: history (especially related to science), chemistry, physics, quantum mechanics, quantum physics, quantum chemistry, etc.... You will enjoy this book!

[Alan Earhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the only book in-print and available that gives a comprehensive overview of the history of the organization of elements into a periodic system. There are other books but they are out-of-print and wicked expensive to find.

I recommend this to anyone teaching chemistry, getting a major/minor in chemistry, or anyone really interested in the history of chemistry.

[Binit Agrawal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly written, but gives in to detailed technicalities after halfway. But for anyone who wants to know the story of the periodic table, the first part (up to chapter six) is very informative, flows in a coherent manner and is interesting. All in all, a must-read for anyone interested in the field of chemistry.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not much of a scientist, but this was easy to read and very interesting.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked how the book started with some earlier version of the periodic tables explaining what the scientists were trying to accomplish with the table, and how it over time evolved through atomic weight, to the aufbau principle to the organization structure and explained the relationships of element in the periodic table based on the knight's movement principle a nd the n,n+10 principle. Found it interesting that the Unun-?-iums were included that were just renamed to new elements in Periodic Table. Overall, very interesting read and very informative.

[Nigel Stanger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but definitely not a layman's book.

[Randell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. I agree it would be tough going for the non-scientist.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good. Recommended for any who has more than a passing interest in chemistry.