Atomic StructureKey Facts

From Mendeleev to the Modern Table

Part of Development of Periodic TableGCSE Chemistry

This key facts covers From Mendeleev to the Modern Table within Development of Periodic Table for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Development of Periodic Table in Atomic Structure for GCSE Chemistry with 20 exam-style questions and 20 flashcards. This topic appears less often, but it can still be a useful differentiator on mixed-topic papers. It is section 6 of 13 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 6 of 13

Practice

20 questions

Recall

20 flashcards

🔄 From Mendeleev to the Modern Table

What changed?

  • 1913 — Henry Moseley discovered elements should be arranged by atomic number (protons), not atomic weight
  • This fixed the few elements Mendeleev had to swap around
  • 1890s — Noble gases discovered and added as Group 0

Why atomic number works better: Atomic number = electrons = chemical properties!

Quick Check: Give two ways in which Mendeleev's periodic table was better than Newlands' table of octaves.

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Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Development of Periodic Table. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Practice Questions for Development of Periodic Table

John Newlands proposed the Law of Octaves in 1866. What did he notice about the elements?

  • A. Every seventh element had similar properties to the first
  • B. Every eighth element had similar properties to the first
  • C. Elements repeated properties every tenth element
  • D. Elements only showed patterns when arranged by atomic number
1 markfoundation

Give two reasons why Newlands' Law of Octaves was not accepted by the scientific community at the time.

2 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

When were noble gases discovered?
1890s — added as Group 0
How is the modern table arranged?
By atomic number (protons), not atomic weight

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