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Quiz about A History of the Periodic Table

A History of the Periodic Table? Quiz

The Periodic Table of Elements was on the wall in many science classrooms. What do you remember about this strange looking chart, its development, and the valuable tool it is?

A multiple-choice quiz by PALSC. Estimated time: 7 mins.

Author
PALSC

Time
7 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
323,523

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
3002

Last 3 plays: TonyTheDad (5/10), Guest 174 (4/10), lonerangerlax (7/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. An initial step in the development of the periodic table was the identification of elements. The first scientific discovery of an element was the discovery of phosphorus by an alchemist in 1649. What was the name of this alchemist? Hint

Robert Boyle

Joens Jakob Berzelius

Antoine Lavoisier

Hennig Brand

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Question 2 of 10

2. The "Law of Triads", proposed by Johann Doebereiner, was an early attempt to classify elements by their relative mass and common properties. Which statement is NOT accurate about Johann Wolfgang Dobereiner. Hint

He became a student at the University of Jena in 1810.

He was an instructor of the philosopher Goethe.

He was largely self taught.

He was a coachman's son.

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Question 3 of 10

3. Another attempt to classify and present elements was based on characteristics shown by elements separated by seven steps when elements are listed by relative weights. Because it was similar to musical keys on a piano this classification was called: Hint

The Chord of Elements

The Eighth Scale.

The Law of Octaves

The Eight Fold Notes.

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Question 4 of 10

4. Dmitry Mendeleev was a teacher of chemistry who began work on the periodic table in the 1860's. What nationality was he? Hint

Italian

Prussian

Russian

Greek

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Question 5 of 10

5. Like Johann Dobereiner, Dmitri Mendeleev did not have outstanding scholastic credentials. Yet he was able to design and develop the original Periodic Table of Elements. Which of the following is true about Mendeleev's academic career? Hint

He obtained his education and Masters at St Petersburg Institute.

He was a student with a stronger background in the classics and languages.

Mendeleev was a professor at one of the two universities which originally denied him admission.

He attended St Petersburg University, after remedial preparation.

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Question 6 of 10

6. Mendeleev's Periodic Table reflected relationships between elements in triads as well as similarities between elements in vertical and horizontal rows. Which of the following was NOT a result of the Periodic Table of Elements that Mendeleev designed? Hint

Errors in atomic weights were identified.

Dmetri Mendeleev was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry In 1906.

The existence of unidentified elements were predicted.

Mendeleev ignored anomalous elements.

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Question 7 of 10

7. Lothar Meyer produced a similar periodic table independent of Mendeleev. Why did Meyer not get the credit for the periodic table? Hint

Meyer first published his table in a text book in 1864 and it contained only half of the known elements.

Meyer published his table to the scientific community in 1870.

Meyer developed a more complete table in 1868 that he gave to a colleague to critique.

Mendeleev published his periodic table in 1869.

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Question 8 of 10

8. Mendeleev was recognized and popular for his work as a scientist and he was a very popular lecturer. Why did he feel it was necessary to resign his position as a professor? Hint

His appearance became more unkempt, as he declined cutting his hair except once a year.

He carried a student petition to the ministry of education that was not acknowledged.

He divorced his wife and married a younger friend of his niece.

He wanted to focus on research.

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Question 9 of 10

9. In the late 19th century the noble gasses were discovered and another column was added to the periodic table. Who is credited with discovering the Noble gasses and received the 1904 Nobel Prize? Hint

Henry Moseley

George Stevenson Buchanan

Ernest Rutherford

William Ramsey

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Question 10 of 10

10. In the middle of the 20th century, the work of one man made major changes to the periodic table. He shared the discovery of plutonium and in addition discovered eight other elements. One element #106 is named for him and he shared the Nobel prize for Chemistry in 1951. What was his name? Hint

Edwin McMillan

Arthur Wahl

Joseph Kennedy

Glenn T. Seaborg

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: Hennig Brand

Hennig Brand was an alchemist looking for the philosopher's stone when he discovered phosphorus. Robert Boyle discovered it independently in 1860. Lavoisier separated metals and non-metals. Jons Jakob Berzelius used letters to signify elements.

Answer: He became a student at the University of Jena in 1810.

Dobereiner became a professor at the University of Jena in 1810. Between 1829 and 1858 a number of scientists continued work on these relationships and the "Law of Triads".

Answer: The Law of Octaves

John Newland's Law of Octaves could not be applied to all elements separated by 7 periods on the list of elements, but it recognized many strong similarities. In addition Newman moved some elements from their positions to make them fit the pattern.

4. Dmitry Mendeleev was a teacher of chemistry who began work on the periodic table in the 1860's. What nationality was he?

Answer: Russian

Mendeleev was born and grew up un Siberia, the youngest of a large family.

Answer: Mendeleev was a professor at one of the two universities which originally denied him admission.

At that time early education included a classical education with languages. Mendeleev was not a good student and had little to recommend him for admission to higher education. The St Petersburg University was one of two universities that denied Mendeleev admission.

He was accepted to the St Petersburg Institute and lectured in chemistry. He later obtained his Masters from St Petersburg University and became a professor there.

Answer: Dmetri Mendeleev was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry In 1906.

Mendeleev missed receiving the Nobel Prize by one vote. Some atomic numbers of elements on the table were refined and corrected. Elements such as sulfur and hydrogen were difficult to place within the structure of the table but Mendeleev was able to construct the table around anomalous elements.

7. Lothar Meyer produced a similar periodic table independent of Mendeleev. Why did Meyer not get the credit for the periodic table?

Answer: Mendeleev published his periodic table in 1869.

Meyer did not predict the existence of unknown elements which Mendeleev included with his periodic table. Meyer and Mendeleev shared the Davy Medal in 1882.

8. Mendeleev was recognized and popular for his work as a scientist and he was a very popular lecturer. Why did he feel it was necessary to resign his position as a professor?

Answer: He carried a student petition to the ministry of education that was not acknowledged.

Mendeleev was very popular with the public because he was very good at teaching. He would ride third class on trains and talk to the other passengers about their farms and work and teach them relevant scientific information.

Answer: William Ramsey

Henry Moseley worked on determining the atomic number of each element resulting in reordering some elements. Rutherford discovered the half-life of radioactive elements. Buchanan was Ramsey's father-in law.

Answer: Glenn T. Seaborg

McMillan, Kennedy, and Wahl shared the discovery of plutonium with Seaborg. Element 106, seaborgium bears his name.

Source: Author PALSC

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