1.3 Periodic patterns 
       Lesson outcomes 
       At the end of this activity students will be able to: 
       •  outline examples of how creativity, logical reasoning and scientific evidence available at
          the time contributed to the development of the modern periodic table
       •  predict properties or positions of some elements in the periodic table, given information
          about them.
       What ideas might your students already have? 
       Students should have a basic understanding of the modern periodic table. 
       Key vocabulary: 
       Triad, atomic mass, atomic number. 
       Equipment list 
       Each STUDENT will require:  
       •  Science by Doing Student Digital.
       Things to consider and hints for success: 
       On-line links: 
       •  The genius of Mendeleev’s periodic table – Lou Serico (4’34”): Explains why
          Mendeleev’s periodic table was a great leap forward in science.
       •  Julius Lothar Meyer – the first identifier of periodicity? Describes Meyer’s
          independent publication of a table similar to Mendeleev’s, at about the same time.
          Includes questions with answers.
       •  Mendeleev: A details of Mendeleev’s discoveries, with questions and answers.
       •  Sir William Ramsay, ’the noble chemist’: A short video (1’31”) text highlighting
          Ramsay’s discovery of the noble gases.
       •  Henry Moseley finds a link to atomic number: Explanation of Moseley’s work, with
          questions and answers.
       •  Glenn Theodore Seaborg: outlines his discovery of transuranic elements (those with
          an atomic number greater than uranium) and many radioactive isotopes.
       Lesson plan 
       These activities are best done in pairs or small groups, which report to the class. 
       Step 1:  The idea that patterns exist in the periodic table is introduced by studying 
           Döbereiner’s triads, using the Science by Doing Student Guide. Students should link 
           to the RSC interactive periodic table to compare properties of elements throughout 
           this activity. 
       Step 2:  Students discuss the periodic table designed by Newlands (Science by Doing 
           Student Guide page 9). 
       Step 3:  Introduces the significance of Mendeleev’s role in the design of the modern periodic 
           table (page 10) 
       Step 4:  Students use Science by Doing Student Digital to investigate the table’s 
           development, using the interactive time line and links in Find out more. 
       Step 5:  Students complete Notebook activities, either as homework or in a later lesson.
                     Chemical Patterns         1