Periodic Definition and 437 Threads

The periodic table, also known as the periodic table of elements, is a tabular display of the chemical elements, which are arranged by atomic number, electron configuration, and recurring chemical properties. The structure of the table shows periodic trends. The seven rows of the table, called periods, generally have metals on the left and nonmetals on the right. The columns, called groups, contain elements with similar chemical behaviours. Six groups have accepted names as well as assigned numbers: for example, group 17 elements are the halogens; and group 18 are the noble gases. Also displayed are four simple rectangular areas or blocks associated with the filling of different atomic orbitals.
The elements from atomic numbers 1 (hydrogen) to 118 (oganesson) have all been discovered or synthesized, completing seven full rows of the periodic table. The first 94 elements, hydrogen to plutonium, all occur naturally, though some are found only in trace amounts and a few were discovered in nature only after having first been synthesized. Elements 95 to 118 have only been synthesized in laboratories, nuclear reactors, or nuclear explosions. The synthesis of elements having higher atomic numbers is currently being pursued: these elements would begin an eighth row, and theoretical work has been done to suggest possible candidates for this extension. Numerous synthetic radioisotopes of naturally occurring elements have also been produced in laboratories.
The organization of the periodic table can be used to derive relationships between the various element properties, and also to predict chemical properties and behaviours of undiscovered or newly synthesized elements. Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev published the first recognizable periodic table in 1869, developed mainly to illustrate periodic trends of the then-known elements. He also predicted some properties of unidentified elements that were expected to fill gaps within the table. Most of his forecasts soon proved to be correct, culminating with the discovery of gallium and germanium in 1875 and 1886 respectively, which corroborated his predictions. Mendeleev's idea has been slowly expanded and refined with the discovery or synthesis of further new elements and the development of new theoretical models to explain chemical behaviour. The modern periodic table now provides a useful framework for analyzing chemical reactions, and continues to be widely used in chemistry, nuclear physics and other sciences. Some discussion remains ongoing regarding the placement and categorisation of specific elements, the future extension and limits of the table, and whether there is an optimal form of the table.

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  1. M

    System ODE, nonconstant but periodic coefficients

    Hi all! I'm trying to solve the following system of ODE's, but somewhat unsuccessful... \dot \vec x = [-i\omega(t)\sigma_z - \nu(t)\sigma_y]\vec x with sigma_i the Pauli matrices and w(t) and v(t) well-behaved functions of t (actually I also have that w = 1+v). Nevertheless, v(t+T) =...
  2. C

    Can We Create Elements in the Lab?

    • Can we create any of the periodic table elements? • Can we make it cost efficient in the future? • Can we synthesis H20 in the laboratory?
  3. K

    Find the Fourier series of a 'broken' function which is periodic in 2L

    Homework Statement Sketch the function: f(x) = \begin{Bmatrix} \frac{-x}{a} & 0 \leq x \leq a \\ \frac{x-L}{L-a} & a \leq x \leq L where f(x) is an odd function and is periodic in 2L. And a is a constant less than L/2 Find the Fourier series for the function f(x). Homework...
  4. F

    Periodic Orbits on Cylinder: Bendixson's Theorem

    Homework Statement Show that the following vector field on the cylinder has a periodic orbit, v' = -v Θ' = 1 Homework Equations Bendixson's theorem: Suppose D is a simply connected open subset of R^2. If the expression div(f,g) = ∂f/∂x + ∂g/∂y is not identically zero...
  5. A

    Why do most solids have periodic structure ?

    I've got several thoughts, but none of them is complete. A general explanation is that when a few atoms form a structure with lowest energy, then when the interfacial energy is low, these independent small groups of particles tend to gather together and form periodic structure. But why are...
  6. S

    Periodic table of shapes to give a new dimension to maths

    Mathematicians are creating their own version of the periodic table that will provide a vast directory of all the possible shapes in the universe across three, four and five dimensions, linking shapes together in the same way as the periodic table links groups of chemical elements. The...
  7. Q

    How Do Periodic Points of a Function Get Identified?

    Homework Statement How do I find periodic points of a given function? I'm looking at discrete cases only (iterations of the function). Homework Equations A point is defined to be a periodic point of period n if f^n(x)=x, where f^n(x) is defined recursively as f(f^n-1(x)). [If this...
  8. G

    Is the periodic function a vector space?

    Homework Statement Is the following a vector space: The set of all periodic functions of period 1? ( i.e. f(x+1)=f(x) ) Homework Equations If v1 and v2 are in V then v1 + v2 is in V If v1 is in V then c*v1 is in V where c is a scalar The Attempt at a Solution I'm thinking no...
  9. B

    Fourier series/ periodic function

    Homework Statement Suppose f is a periodic function of period 2pi and that g is a horizontal shift of f, say g(x) = f(x + a). Show that f and g have the same energy. Homework Equations n/a The Attempt at a Solution i can see that if f(x) is shifted by 'a' that it does not make the...
  10. F

    Exploring Lanthanide and Actinide Series Exclusion from Periodic Table

    why aren't the lanthanide and actinide series included in the periodic table? is there some non periodicity in there elements?
  11. A

    Complex notation of periodic functions

    I have found in physics literature a periodic function of time is many times written in complex form. For example,f(x,t)=g(x)e^{i\omega t} As a non-physicist this has proven a bit confusing. Is it generally understood that the function we are really interested in the real part of the...
  12. Z

    Proving Periodicity of an Odd Function with Period p

    Homework Statement If f be a periodic function as well as an odd function with period p and and x belongs to [-p/2, p/2]. Prove that is periodic with period p. The Attempt at a Solution In the solution, there is a step which I did not understand- I see no property of definite...
  13. F

    The missing elements in the Periodic Table?

    How did Dimitri Mendeleev know that some of the elements were missing/not discovered? How did he know that the missing elements existed? Did he find some sort of pattern when he created the Periodic Table?
  14. D

    Solving Periodic Signals: Determine Fund. Period

    Homework Statement Determine whether or not each of the following signals is periodic if signal is periodic determine the fundamental period (note that these are discrete not continuous signals) Show your solutions 1. x(n) = \cos^3(\frac{\pi(n)}{8}) 2. x(n) =...
  15. D

    Signals and Systems: Determine if the signal is periodic or nonperiodic

    Homework Statement Determine whether or not each of the following signals is periodic if signal is periodic determine the fundamental period (note that these are discrete not continuous signals) Show your solutions 1. x(n) = \cos^3(\frac{\pi(n)}{8}) 2. x(n) =...
  16. R

    Periodic curve as immersed submanifold

    Is a periodic curve still an immersed submanifold of a manifold M? Suppose y is the curve map an interval to a manifold M, and y is periodic, which means it is not injective. And immersed submanifold must be the image of a injective immersion.
  17. H

    Periodic and Nonconstant Integral Curve: A Contradiction

    M is a smooth manifolds, and X is a vector field on M, y is a maximal integral curve of X. Now suppose y is periodic and nonconstant, show that there exists a unique positive number T(called the period of y) such that y(t)=y(t') if and only if t-t'=kT for some integer k.(For this problem, What...
  18. R

    Fourier transform for loaded string with periodic boundary conditions.

    Homework Statement So we have a string of N particles connected by springs like so: *...*...*...*...* A corresponding Hamiltonian that looks like: H= 1/2* \Sigma P_j^2 + (x_j - x_(j+1) )^2 Where x is transverse position of the particle as measured from the equilibrium position, and...
  19. G

    Periodicity of Decimal Expansion

    I am asked to prove that a real number is rational if and only if it has a periodic decimal expansion. I have shown that any periodic decimal expansion has an integer p such that multiplication returns an integer. For the case of showing that all rational numbers have a periodic decimal...
  20. K

    Is the quotient of periodic functions also periodic?

    Homework Statement Let f be periodic with period P. Prove that 1/f is periodic with period P. The Attempt at a Solution f(s+P)= f(s) I know that is the equation for a periodic function. I am not sure how to prove the 1/f part though. Would I just do this: 1/f(s+P)=f(s)? I'm just...
  21. C

    MATLAB MATLAB Plot of a periodic function

    letsa say my function is: x(n) = 1 + sin((2*pi)/N)*n + 3*cos((2*pi)/N)*n + cos( ((4*pi)/N)*n + pi/2); when i plot it inside a loop, with a loop variable being n, i have something llike increasing slope... even when i set a period N to be 8,4 or whateva.. on the other side... when i plot the...
  22. R

    One Alternate View of the Periodic Table

    aka "How to Rearrange the Elements Without Engaging in Alchemy" Below is one view on what the Periodic Table might look like if it were "callibrated" in geometric fashion to the Atomic Numbers of the Earth Alkaline Metals. (red cells) 4, 20, 56 and 120 are all 4 times the sum of squares (1 + 4...
  23. J

    Why Does Melting Temperature Increase from Sodium to Aluminium?

    Explain why the melting temperature increases from sodium to aluminium. Why does it have to do with ions and not atoms?
  24. W

    Jordan wigner transform and periodic boundary condition

    i think jordan wigner transform, when applied to open boundary system, can simplify a spin 1/2 system to a free fermion system but there is a difficulty in the case of periodic boundary condition in this case, we have to deal with terms like S_N^+S_1^-=(-)^{\sum_{k=1}^{N-1}n_k}...
  25. C

    No Constant Solution => No periodic solution

    Shall f be continuous function of two real variables. Proof that if equation x''=f(x,x') has not constant solutions, then neither it has periodic solutions.
  26. A

    Rational numbers and periodic decimal expansions

    A long time ago I took a number theory course and really enjoyed it. At one point we were shown the proof for the theorem that a number is rational if and only if it has a periodic decimal expansion. The (<=) direction is really easy if you know some Calculus, but I remember the (=>) direction...
  27. L

    Is periodic but has no period ?

    Homework Statement Today i came across this one question where i had no clue of how to proove. it says f(x) = { 1, x rational ......{ ---------------------is periodic but have no period. (Proove it/Show it) .....{ 0, x irrational ignore the dots and dashes., just for indentation...
  28. J

    Why did Author Use Cosine/Sine for Periodic Sound Waves?

    Homework Statement I am confused with why the author uses this form for periodic sound waves. Why did he use cosine instead? Later, he states Note he uses sin this time. I know that the difference between sine and cosine is the phase offset, by 90 degrees. But why did the...
  29. P

    Periodic oscillations in the output signal

    Dear All, We have an voltage amplifier. The input is given in small square wave steps to check rise time and noise level of an output signal. The rise time looks good, but we see periodic (noise)oscillations after reaching the plateau. We measure signal voltage across capacitor (10 micro...
  30. O

    Solving fluid's Poisson equation for periodic problem or more easy way?

    The problem is about mathematics but it originates from the self-gravitational instability of incompressible fluid, so let me explain the situation first. I have an incompressible uniform fluid disk that is infinite in the x-y direction. The disk has a finite thickness 2a along the...
  31. Z

    Intensity of periodic sound waves

    Homework Statement A firework charge is detonated many meters above the ground. At a distance of 400m from the explosion, the acoustic pressure reaches a maximum of 10.0 N/m2. Assume that the speed of sound is constant at 343 m/s throughout the atmosphere over the region considered, that the...
  32. E

    Exploring Chaotic Orbits: Approximating Periodic Trajectories

    Consider a dynamic system with a periodic trajectory. Given an arbitrary duration T of time, does there exist a chaotic trajectory of a similar system which approximates the closed orbit for the duration T with a given accuracy? Chaotic orbits which I've seen so far...
  33. M

    Periodic orbit of Hamiltonian dynamical system in R^2 is stable

    Homework Statement We are given a Hamiltonian dynamical system with a smooth Hamiltonian H:\mathbb{R}^2\to\mathbb{R} on \mathbb{R}^2, with canonical symplectic structure. Suppose this Hamiltonian has a periodic orbit H^{-1}(h_0). Prove that there exists an \epsilon>0 such that for all h\in...
  34. I

    Trend of First Ionization Energy in the Periodic Table

    Why do metals generally have lower ionization energies than non-metals? I mean, doesn't ionization energy depend on the atomic radius? And the atomic radius is in turn dependent on the shell and the protons. According to these factors, the atomic radius of Sodium should be smaller than...
  35. S

    How Do You Solve Periodic Motion Problems in Physics?

    Please help with periodic motion problems! 1. What are the correct units for frequency? What are the correct units for angular frequency? 2. A grandfather clock keeps time by using a pendulum. If you want to design a pendulum to have a period of 1 s, estimate how long you should make the...
  36. B

    Why Are Periodic Phenomena So Common in Nature? A Physicist's Perspective

    We may observe that cyclical or loosely periodic phenomena are extremely common in nature with phases varying over more than thirty orders of magnitude. Is there some overarching physical principle at work here; some deep line of code in the cosmic program as to why this should be so? This is...
  37. G

    How to find out if a function is periodic or not?

    I need to find if Sin(x^2) is a periodic function. As I think its not periodic but I need to proof that. I know that its possible to use f(x) = f(x+T), while T is the period frequency. But how to find out T ? and how to contradict this equation to say that the function is not periodic...
  38. N

    Periodic Solutions: Are All Valid?

    Homework Statement Hi guys Say I have an equation of the form f(x) = cos(x)+cos(0.2x), and I wish to find the solutions x. When I plot this graph, I see multiple solutions, but there is no apparent period for the solutions. Are all the solutions equally valid, or can some be discarded?
  39. J

    Atomic Radii & Nuclear Charge: Exploring the Periodic Table

    How does atomic radii decrease when we move left to right in a periodic table? Though the nuclear charge increase as a result of increase in number of protons,the same increase is occurring in number of electrons.
  40. B

    Solving the Radius of Convergence of a Periodic Power Series

    Homework Statement Consider the power series Σanxn = 1+2x+3x2+x3+2x4+3x5+x6+… in which the coefficients an=1,2,3,1,2,3,1,... are periodic of period p=3. Find the radius of convergence. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution My attempt at a solution was to first state...
  41. H

    The nature of waves and Periodic waves

    Homework Statement A water-skier is moving at a speed of 13.3 m/s. When she skis in the same direction as a traveling wave, she springs upward every 6.2 s because of the wave crests. When she skis in the direction opposite to the direction in which the wave moves, she springs upward every...
  42. J

    COMSOL: Periodic inlet flow rate in a pipe

    Hi all - I would like to add a periodic inlet flow rate (Q(t) over an entire period T) as a BC in COMSOL. Does anyone know how to do this in 2D axisymmetric Transient Navier Stokes through COMSOL? I'm aware of the periodic boundary condition option available, but really just don't know how to...
  43. T

    Is an oscillatory motion always periodic ?

    Is an oscillatory motion always periodic ? 3 I think the answer is yes but the answer in my book was NO please explain
  44. L

    What Element Results from Removing Protons and Neutrons from Oxygen-16?

    Homework Statement 1.If protons and two neutrons are removed from the nucleus of an oxygen-16 atom, a nucleus of which element remains? electron 2. If an atom has 43 electrons, 56 neutrons and 43 protons what is its approximate atoms mass? What is the name of this element? Technetium, 99...
  45. J

    Wave eqtion of electron in a periodic potential

    quoted from Kittel text 8th edition page 170,171 the potential energy is U(x)=\SigmaU_{G}e^{iGx} but why it is also equal to-> U(x)=\SigmaU_{G}e^{iGx}+e^{-iGx} from text explanation, i couldn't get it why there is an extra term of e^{iGx} any 1 care to enlight me on this? thanks.
  46. S

    How to test whether a signal is periodic or not?

    Hi all, let's say I have generated some discrete data as a function of time. And when I plot it, it looks like that it is periodic. Is there any scientific way to check whether or not the discrete data is really periodic? And determine the period, if possible? Many thanks.
  47. L

    Find if a function is the Laplace transform of a periodic function

    Homework Statement Could \[F(s) = \frac{1}{{s(1 - {e^{ - s}})}}\] be the Laplace transform of some periodic function? Why? If so, find that periodic function The Attempt at a Solution If it was the Laplace transform of some periodic function, the the Laplace transform of the first wave...
  48. D

    Can You Solve the Alien Periodic Table Puzzle?

    Greetings, Can you match up the unearthly elements with their earthly counterpart based on the clues? After about 9 hours of work I am stumped. Take a look at the following page: http://www.scribd.com/doc/25315827/Alien-Periodic-Table Please feel free to download as a word doc. I am...
  49. M

    Bounded integrable periodic function

    hi, i have a hard problem, i guess so, i am looking for any help g(x) is a bounded Lebesgue measurable function that is periodic i.e. g(x)=g(x+p). Then for every f \in L^1(\Re) lim_{n\rightarrow \infty}\int_{\Re}f(x)g(nx) dx=(\int_{\Re}f(x)dx)((1/p){\int_{0}^{p}g(x) dx) thanks for...
  50. N

    Fourier Transfrom of scaled periodic impulse train

    Homework Statement Fourier transform of scaled pulse train from -inf to +inf. Starting at 0 the first impulse is scaled at 2, the second impulse at 1 is scaled as 1, third at three scaled at 2, etc...Homework Equations Does my solution look correct?The Attempt at a Solution X(jw) =...
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