The discovery of elements has been a significant milestone in the history of science, as it has paved the way for a better understanding of the natural world. In this review article, we provide a historical perspective on the discovery of elements, tracing back to the ancient times when philosophers and alchemists attempted to transmute base metals into gold. We also discuss the contributions of various scientists, including Lavoisier, Dalton, and Mendeleev, in the development of the periodic table and the classification of elements. Finally, we highlight some recent discoveries of new elements and their potential applications in various fields.
Introduction
The study of elements has fascinated scientists and philosophers for centuries. From the ancient Greek philosophers to modern-day scientists, the discovery of new elements has been an ongoing endeavor that has expanded our understanding of the natural world. In this review article, we take a historical perspective on the discovery of elements, from the ancient times to the present day.
Ancient Discoveries
The earliest known attempts to transmute base metals into gold can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and Egyptians. However, it was not until the Middle Ages that alchemy emerged as a serious pursuit. Alchemists believed that all matter was composed of four basic elements – earth, air, fire, and water – and sought to discover a fifth element, which they believed would be the key to transmuting base metals into gold. While alchemy ultimately proved unsuccessful in its quest for gold, it did lead to the discovery of several elements, including mercury, sulfur, and antimony.
The Birth of Modern Chemistry
In the 18th century, the French chemist Antoine Lavoisier laid the groundwork for modern chemistry by demonstrating the conservation of mass and the importance of oxygen in combustion. His experiments also led to the discovery of several new elements, including oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen.
In the early 19th century, John Dalton proposed the atomic theory of matter, which suggested that all matter was composed of indivisible atoms, each with a unique atomic weight. Dalton's theory laid the foundation for the development of the periodic table of elements.
The Periodic Table
In 1869, Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev published the first version of the periodic table, which arranged the elements according to their atomic weight and properties. Mendeleev's periodic table was an instant success, as it allowed scientists to predict the properties of undiscovered elements and even fill in gaps in the periodic table where undiscovered elements were expected to exist.
New Discoveries
In the modern era, the discovery of new elements has continued at a rapid pace. In 2016, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) announced the discovery of four new elements – nihonium, moscovium, tennessine, and oganesson – bringing the total number of known elements to 118. These new elements were discovered through experiments that involved smashing atomic nuclei together in particle accelerators.