The Race to Invent the Periodic Table

Summary

This script narrates the intriguing history of the periodic table's development, focusing on the pioneering efforts of John Newlands, Lothar Meyer, and Dmitri Mendeleev. Mendeleev's foresight in predicting undiscovered elements and his periodic table's predictive power are highlighted, culminating in the discovery of gallium by Paul Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran. The script humorously explores the naming dispute between Mendeleev and Lecoq, and gallium's journey from a scientific prank to a crucial semiconductor material in modern electronics and solar cells.

Takeaways

• 🍵 The script begins with a humorous anecdote about a missing spoon and a hot cup of tea, setting a lighthearted tone for the discussion of chemistry and the periodic table.
• 📊 The periodic table was not initially well-organized; it evolved over time with contributions from various scientists, reflecting the gradual understanding of chemical properties and elements.
• 👨‍🔬 John Newlands, Lothar Meyer, and Dmitri Mendeleev were key figures in the development of the periodic table, each proposing different theories and methods for organizing the elements.
• 🔮 Mendeleev's periodic table was innovative because it included spaces for undiscovered elements, based on the prediction that elements' properties repeat periodically.
• 🌟 Mendeleev's table was not only a chart but also a predictive tool, allowing him to name and predict properties of elements that had not yet been discovered.
• 🇫🇷 French chemist Paul Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran discovered gallium, an element that fit Mendeleev's predictions, using analytical spectroscopy, a technique that provided a unique fingerprint for elements.
• 🥊 A dispute arose between Mendeleev and Lecoq over the discovery of gallium, leading to a scientific controversy and a 'beef' in scientific journals.
• 🐓 The name 'gallium' for the new element is a play on the Latin word for 'rooster' and has a double entendre, referencing both the Roman name for France and possibly Lecoq himself.
• 🌡 Initially, gallium was used primarily for thermometers due to its low melting point, which also made it a popular subject for pranks, such as making spoons that disappear in hot tea.
• 💡 Today, gallium is highly valued for its semiconductor properties, which are crucial in electronic devices, solar cells, and even in the chips of smartphones and Mars rovers.
• 🚀 Gallium's importance in semiconductor technology suggests that it may even surpass silicon in utility, hinting at a potential shift in the tech industry's focus.

Q & A

What is the significance of the periodic table in the field of chemistry?

The periodic table is a fundamental tool in chemistry that organizes elements into a layout that highlights their repeating chemical properties. It is a testament to the power of scientific organization and prediction, allowing scientists to understand and predict the behavior of elements.

What was the state of the periodic table in the mid-1860s?

In the mid-1860s, the periodic table was not yet organized into the familiar columns and rows. Chemists like John Newlands, Lothar Meyer, and Dmitri Mendeleev were independently working on theories to organize the elements, with 63 elements discovered at that time.

What was unique about Mendeleev's approach to organizing the elements?

Mendeleev's approach was unique because he recognized that the properties of elements were periodic and that new elements should fit into this pattern. His table had spaces for undiscovered elements, making it a predictive tool rather than just a classification system.

Why was Mendeleev's table initially not recognized?

Mendeleev's table was initially not recognized because it contained many missing holes for undiscovered elements. It took over ten years before his predictive table was fully acknowledged after the discovery of elements that fit into his predicted spots.

Who was Paul Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran and what is his contribution to the periodic table?

Paul Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran was a French chemist who discovered the element gallium. His discovery confirmed Mendeleev's predictions and filled one of the missing spots in the periodic table, which was labeled as 'eka-aluminum' by Mendeleev.

What was the controversy between Mendeleev and Paul Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran regarding the discovery of gallium?

The controversy arose because Mendeleev claimed the discovery of gallium based on his predictive table, while Paul, who actually conducted the work to isolate the new element, disagreed. This led to a scientific debate, often referred to as the 'Crimean War of articles,' which was eventually resolved in favor of Paul, who named the element gallium.

What is the significance of the name 'gallium' for the element discovered by Paul Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran?

The name 'gallium' is significant as it is a play on the Roman name for France, 'Gaul.' It also has a personal connection to the discoverer, as an English translation of Paul Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran's name could be interpreted as 'Paul Emil The Rooster Of Boisbaudran,' with 'rooster' being 'gallus' in Latin, hence 'gallium.'

What was the initial use of gallium after its discovery?

Initially, gallium was used primarily for thermometers due to its low melting point, which made it a non-toxic alternative to mercury. It was also used for pranks, such as making a spoon that would disappear in a hot cup of tea.

How has the use of gallium evolved over time?

Over time, gallium has become a sought-after material due to its properties as a semiconductor. It is used in the production of electronic circuits, solar cells, and is commonly found in chips in smartphones and other high-tech devices.

What is the role of gallium in modern technology?

In modern technology, gallium is used as a semiconductor material in electronic devices, including smartphones and solar cells. Gallium arsenide, in particular, is a common semiconductor used in chips and is crucial for the functioning of various technological applications.

What is the potential future impact of gallium compared to silicon in the technology industry?

Gallium has the potential to be more useful than silicon in the technology industry due to its superior semiconductor properties. Some even suggest that it may become the basis for a 'Gallium Valley,' rivaling Silicon Valley in importance.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 The Evolution of the Periodic Table

The script begins with a humorous introduction to the periodic table, highlighting its significance in chemistry. It takes us back to the mid-1860s, where the table's current form was not yet established. At this time, Ulysses S. Grant was the US president, and about 63 elements were known. John Newlands, Lothar Meyer, and Dmitri Mendeleev were each working on organizing the elements. Newlands predicted the discovery of Germanium, but his table was not recognized. Meyer classified elements by their combining abilities but only for 53 elements. Mendeleev, however, recognized the periodic nature of the elements and left room in his table for undiscovered ones, even predicting their properties. His table was revolutionary, as it was a predictive tool for elements yet to be found.

05:03

🌟 The Discovery of Gallium and its Impact on Science

The script continues with the story of gallium's discovery by French chemist Paul Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran, who used analytical spectroscopy to identify a new element that fit Mendeleev's predictions for 'eka-aluminum'. The naming of the element led to a dispute between Mendeleev and Lecoq, with the latter choosing 'gallium', possibly as a play on words related to his name or the Roman name for France, 'Gaul'. Initially, gallium was used for thermometers due to its low melting point. It was also used for pranks, like making a spoon disappear in hot tea. Today, gallium is highly sought after as a semiconductor, revolutionizing electrical circuitry and enabling the mass production of electronics and computers. It is also used in solar cells, making it a crucial element in modern technology.

Keywords

💡Periodic Table

The Periodic Table is a tabular arrangement of chemical elements, ordered by their atomic number, electron configuration, and recurring chemical properties. In the video, it's depicted as a crucial tool in chemistry, initially with gaps, which Mendeleev filled with predictions for undiscovered elements, demonstrating its predictive power and contribution to the theme of scientific discovery and organization.

💡Chemical Properties

Chemical properties are characteristics that describe the behavior of substances in chemical reactions. The video emphasizes how these properties repeat in a periodic pattern, which Mendeleev recognized and utilized to predict the existence and properties of undiscovered elements, central to the development of the Periodic Table.

💡John Newlands

John Newlands was a chemist who contributed to the development of the Periodic Table by predicting the existence of the element Germanium. His work, although initially unrecognized, is part of the historical context in the video, illustrating the gradual progress towards the modern Periodic Table.

💡Lothar Meyer

Lothar Meyer is another key figure in the script who attempted to classify elements based on their ability to combine with others. His work, while limited to 53 elements and lacking scalability, is an essential stepping stone in the narrative of the Periodic Table's evolution.

💡Dmitri Mendeleev

Dmitri Mendeleev is a central figure in the script, renowned for his pioneering work on the Periodic Table. He is credited with recognizing the periodic nature of elements and leaving spaces for undiscovered elements, which he predicted would fit the pattern, showcasing his foresight and the predictive utility of the table.

💡Eka-Elements

Eka-elements were hypothetical elements predicted by Mendeleev to fill gaps in his Periodic Table. The term 'eka' is Sanskrit for 'one,' and these predictions were based on the periodic law. In the script, 'eka-aluminum' is an example, which was later discovered as gallium, demonstrating Mendeleev's accurate predictions.

💡Paul Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran

Paul Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran is the French chemist who discovered gallium, as mentioned in the script. His work with spectroscopy led to the identification of a new element that fit Mendeleev's predictions, sparking a debate over who truly 'discovered' gallium and highlighting the scientific process.

💡Spectroscopy

Spectroscopy is an analytical technique used to identify substances by examining the light they emit or absorb. In the video, it is the method Lecoq used to discover gallium, providing a scientific tool that allowed for the identification of new elements through their unique spectral lines.

💡Semiconductor

A semiconductor is a material that can conduct electricity under certain conditions but not in others, situated between conductors and insulators. The script explains that gallium, once considered a mere prank material, is now a highly sought-after semiconductor in modern electronics and solar cells, illustrating its practical applications and significance in technology.

💡Gallium

Gallium is a soft, silvery metal with a low melting point, which was used humorously in the script to 'disappear' a spoon in tea. However, it is also highlighted as a vital semiconductor material in the production of electronics and solar cells, showing its dual role in both humor and high-tech applications.

💡Gallium Arsenide

Gallium Arsenide is a compound of gallium and arsenic and a common semiconductor material. The script mentions its use in smartphone chips and Mars rovers, emphasizing its importance in modern technology and space exploration, and connecting it to the broader theme of scientific advancement.

Highlights

The periodic table of elements was initially not as organized as it is today, with its development beginning in the mid-1860s.

Ulysses S. Grant was president of the USA, Germany elected their first chancellor, and Ernest Rutherford was born during this period when 63 elements had been discovered.

John Newlands, Lothar Meyer, and Dmitri Mendeleev were all working on their theories of the elements, with Newlands predicting the element Germanium.

Meyer organized elements by their ability to combine with others but only managed to classify 53, leaving room for growth as there were 63 elements known.

Mendeleev, teaching at St Petersburg University, published the Principles of Chemistry with his version of the periodic table.

Mendeleev's periodic table included missing holes, as he recognized the periodic nature of elements' properties and left room for undiscovered elements.

Mendeleev predicted and named undiscovered elements such as 'eka-aluminum,' 'eka-silicon,' and 'eka-manganese.'

For four years, no new elements were discovered, leaving the periodic table unchanged.

Paul Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran discovered a new element using analytical spectroscopy, which fit Mendeleev's predictions for 'eka-aluminum.'

The discovery of gallium led to a dispute between Mendeleev and Lecoq, with both claiming its discovery.

The name 'gallium' was chosen by Lecoq, possibly as a play on the Roman name for France or a reference to his own name.

Gallium's initial uses were limited, primarily for thermometers due to its low melting point and non-toxic nature.

Gallium is known for its low melting point, which allows it to melt in the hand and is used for pranks, such as making a spoon disappear in hot tea.

Gallium is now a sought-after semiconductor material, revolutionizing electrical circuitry and enabling mass production of electronics and computers.

Gallium arsenide is commonly used in semiconductors, such as in smartphone chips and solar cells, and is considered more useful than silicon by some.

The development and use of gallium have had a significant impact on technology, potentially leading to a 'Gallium Valley' of tech innovation.

Transcripts

Nothing like a hot cup of tea after a long day of chemistrying.

Lemme just stir in some sugar here ...

Alright ...

Real funny, Guys.

Where’s my spoon?

The answer to that question is in this here chart.

Recognize it?

There it is in all its glory - the periodic table of elements.

Perhaps to some chemists, a holy testament to the power of science.

But when it first came out, it was a different kind of holey.

And its journey to classroom walls everywhere had a whole lot of bumps.

The tale takes us back to the mid 1860s..

Ulysses S Grant is president of the USA, Germany elects their very first chancellor, Ernest

Rutherford is born and about 63 elements have already been discovered.

But the beautifully organized columns and rows we know today hadn’t been devised yet,

and chemists were just starting to glimpse the repeating chemical properties they represent.

John Newlands, Lothar Meyer and Dmitri Mendeleev were all working on their own theories of

the elements.

Newlands actually predicted the yet-to-be-discovered element of Germanium, but his version of the

table wasn’t recognized until over ten years later.

Meyer’s work seemed more promising.

He brought some organization into the elements by classifying them according to their ability

to combine with other elements, but he only managed to work that out for 53 of them

and his table didn’t have room to grow.

Which is a problem because, remember, there were 63 elements.

This leads us to St, Petersburg, Russia.

Mendeleev is teaching organic chemistry at St Petersburg University.

There he publishes a book called Principles of Chemistry.

In this book was his version of how to organize the elements -- the Periodic Table.

Here’s what that table looked like.

But something’s off.

Mendeleev’s table was full of missing holes because he had figured out something

the other two scientists hadn’t.

Mendeleev recognized that the elements’ properties repeated in a pattern -- they were

periodic.

And he figured any new elements ought to fit the pattern -- even though no one had observed

them yet.

His proposed table left room for all the missing elements.

This was more than a chart, it was a tool that could predict things nobody even knew about yet.

Mendeleev gave names to these undiscovered elements such as “eka-aluminum,” “eka-silicon”,

and “eka-manganese."

Over the next 4 years, no new elements were discovered and the periodic table remained

unchanged.

Enter French chemist Paul É-m-i-l-e ...

Help me Internet Robot Lady.

You're my only hope.

Paul Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran

So our friend Paul was in France studying sphalerite, using analytical spectroscopy.

This was the most cutting-ist edgiest version of the good ‘ol flame test, thanks to work

by Robert Bunsen and Gustav Kirchoff.

The new spectroscope allowed chemists to measure the colored light produced when metals burn.

Regardless of who burned the metal on what part of the planet, or what prism they used,

the same unique lines would be produced for the same metal.

This gave chemists a fingerprinting system for the elements.

So when Paul’s sphalerite sample showed a completely new light spectrum with two violet

lines, he realized he had discovered a new metal, a new element that fit the properties

of density and atomic mass predicted by Mendeleev’s holey periodic table, right there in the spot

Good ol’ Dmitri had labeled eka-aluminum.

But instead of that, Paul called his new element, "gallium."

Now here’s where the drama comes in.

Mendeleev claimed he discovered gallium, but Paul disagreed since he kinda did all the work.

In a sort of Crimean War of articles in scientific journals, the Russian and the Frenchman

duked it out for years.

Think of it as the 19th century version of an epic Twitter beef.

The winner of this battle is in the name for gallium itself.

Mr. Paul gave it a play on the Roman name for France: Gaul.

It was a trend in the 19th century to name elements after geographical regions.

But maybe he named it after himself: an English translation of this French chemist’s name

is Paul Emil The Rooster Of Boisbaudran.

And the Latin word for “rooster” just happens to be gallus.

By that logic, gallium narrowly misses being chickenium.

So anyway, how much did science benefit from this newly found element?

At first, gallium wasn’t all that useful.

Its primary use was for thermometers due to its low melting point, and because it’s

non-toxic unlike pesky mercury.

Chemists like to say that gallium melts in your mouth AND in your hand!

Right?

I mean that’s a thing people say...

Gallium’s low melting point is also great for pranks . Pranks like … making a spoon

disappear in a hot cuppa tea.

Being a shiny metal, it was easy to disguise gallium as

silver.

Tricksters would fashion it into a spoon, then hand their mark a cuppa and what looked

like regular old silverware.

You can order a gallium spoon and try it for yourself!

As some of the comedians around this office evidently already done.

Gallium isn’t considered toxic.

But you shouldn’t swallow it, either, so I’m just gonna...go make a fresh cuppa.

Today, however, gallium is a VERY sought-after not for tricks but because it makes a great semiconductor.

A semiconductor is a material solid that can pass an electrical current under the right

conditions.

Since chemistry allows us to manipulate what the “right conditions” are, semiconductors

have revolutionized electrical circuitry making mass production of electronics and computers

possible.

Some semiconductors are also gangbusters at converting light into electricity, giving

us inexpensive solar cells.

Gallium arsenide is a very common semiconductor, found in the chip in your smartphone, and

powering those plucky robots rolling around on the surface of Mars.

Gallium is so popular these days, some say it may even be more useful than another common

semiconductor...silicon.

So maybe tech billionaires will start saying they live in Gallium Valley.

So the next time you sit down with your precious mobile device watching science videos on YouTube,

make sure to thank Paul The Rooster and his rival the bearded Russian.