Development of the periodic table | Exit Quiz | Oak National Academy

Which of the following scientists is credited with the development of the modern periodic table?

• Newton

• Dalton

• de Chancourtois

• Mendeleev

• Einstein

Answer explanation

Dmitri Mendeleev is credited with the development of the modern periodic table.

True or false? The elements in the modern periodic table are arranged according to their atomic number and electronic structures.

• true

• false

Answer explanation

The statement is true. Elements are arranged in the periodic table according to increasing atomic number. They are grouped based on the number of electrons in the outer shell and arranged into periods based on the number of electron shells.

Which of the following was the significant observation made by John Newlands regarding the periodicity of elements?

• Elements with similar properties repeated every 5th element.

• Elements with similar properties appeared in threes or triads.

• Elements repeated in a telluric spiral.

• Elements with similar properties repeated every 8th element.

Answer explanation

Elements with similar properties repeated every 8th element.

Match up Newland's actions to their outcome to explain why his periodic table was not accepted by the scientific community.

• ordered elements by atomic weight

• needed to double up elements to fit the repeating pattern

• repeated a pattern every 8th element

• assumed all elements had been discovered

• put two elements in the same position

• only some similar elements were grouped together e.g. Li, Na and K

• did not leave gaps

• dissimilar elements were grouped together e.g. O, S and Fe

Answer explanation

You have correctly matched the actions to the outcomes that led to his periodic table not being accepted by the scientific community.

Which of the following improvements did Mendeelev make to Newland's periodic table that led to Mendeelev's table being accepted by the scientific community?

• He left gaps for elements yet to be discovered.

• He predicted the properties of elements yet to be discovered.

• He added in the noble gases.

• He did not order all elements by atomic weight, e.g. tellurium and iodine.

• He ordered elements using both the atomic weight and their properties.

Answer explanation

Mendeleev left gaps for elements yet to be discovered and predicted their properties, he swapped the order of some elements to fit their properties and he used both atomic weight and properties to order the elements.

Order the following scientists and their methods for organising elements in the periodic table, starting with the earliest and ending with the most recent.

• de Chancourtois - arranged elements by atomic weight in a telluric spiral.

• Doberiner - arranged elements by atomic weight in groups of 3, called triads.

• Newlands - arranged elements by atomic weight and repeated every 8th.

• Dalton - arranged elements by atomic weight only.

• Mendeleev - arranged elements by atomic weight and properties but left gaps.

Answer explanation

The correct order is: Dalton, Dobereiner, de Chancourtois, Newlands and Mendeleev.