before 1937, all naturally occurring elements had been discovered except element 43. chemists predicted the chemical properties of this element, now called technetium. how were those predictions possible?
Well, it was a remarkable feat indeed! The chemists back then must have possessed a crystal ball made from solid laughter! Just kidding! In reality, those predictions were based on the patterns and trends observed in the properties of other elements on the periodic table. They used their extensive knowledge of chemistry to make educated guesses about how this elusive element would behave. It's like guessing what someone's cooking smells like by observing the recipe ingredients. It may not be foolproof, but it sure keeps the scientific guessing game entertaining!
The predictions regarding the chemical properties of element 43, now known as technetium, were made based on the understanding of the periodic table and trends observed among the known elements at that time. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how these predictions were possible:
1. Development of the periodic table: Chemists had already organized the known elements into a periodic table based on their atomic numbers, which reflected the number of protons in an atom's nucleus. Elements with similar chemical properties were grouped together.
2. Pattern of periodicity: Through the observation of the periodic table, chemists noticed that certain properties of elements recurred periodically with increasing atomic number. For example, elements in the same group (vertical columns) tend to exhibit similar characteristics due to their similar electron configurations.
3. Filling of electron shells: The periodic table provides information about the electron configurations of elements. By examining the electron arrangement in each element leading up to element 43, chemists were able to predict the pattern of electron filling in the next element.
4. Chemical properties of the neighboring elements: Chemists observed the chemical properties of the elements surrounding element 43. Elements in close proximity and in the same group often possess similar chemical behaviors. By evaluating these properties, the chemists inferred the possible chemical characteristics of element 43.
5. Trends in periodicity: Based on the trends observed among other elements, chemists deduced that element 43 would likely have properties similar to those of manganese (Mn) and rhenium (Re), elements that flank it in the periodic table.
By combining their knowledge of the periodic table, electron configurations, and trends in chemical behavior, chemists made informed predictions regarding the properties of element 43, which were later confirmed upon its discovery and subsequent experiments.
The predictions about the chemical properties of element 43, which is now known as technetium, were made based on the knowledge and understanding of the periodic table and the trends observed among the known elements at that time.
Chemists had already observed certain patterns in the properties of elements as they are arranged in the periodic table. These patterns, known as periodic trends, include factors like atomic size, ionization energy, electron affinity, electronegativity, and others.
By examining the properties of the elements surrounding the predicted element 43 on the periodic table, chemists could infer and predict the likely chemical properties of technetium. This is because elements in the same group or with similar characteristics in the periodic table tend to exhibit similarities in their chemical behavior.
For example, technetium is located in the same group as manganese (Group 7), and elements in the same group often show similar chemical properties. Based on this, chemists could predict that technetium would have properties similar to those of manganese, such as being a transition metal, forming various oxidation states, and potentially having similar reactivity.
It's important to note that while these predictions could suggest the likely properties of technetium, they couldn't provide all the details or exact characteristics of the element. To confirm the predictions, technetium had to be synthesized artificially, which was achieved in 1937, validating the earlier predictions.