Mendeleyev's prediction of new elements


Predictions of properties of elements made by Dmitri Mendeleyev
(Bensaude-Vincent, 1995b)
  predictions later determinations

 
atomic weight
specific gravity
atomic volume

Eka-aluminium
68
6.0
11.5

Gallium*
69.9
5.96
11.7

 
atomic weight
oxide
specific gravity of oxide
sulphate

Eka-boron
44
Eb2O3
3.5
Eb2(SO4)3

Scandium**
43.79
Sc2O3
3.864
Sc2(SO4)3

 
atomic weight
specific gravity
atomic volume
oxide
specific gravity of oxide
chloride
boiling point of chloride
density of chloride
non-gaseous fluoride
ethyl compound
boiling point of
  ethyl compound
specific gravity of
 >ethyl compound

Eka-silicon
72
5.5
13
EsO2
4.7
EsCl4
< 100°C
1.9
EsF4
EsAe4
 
160°C
 
< 1

Germanium***
72.3
5.469
13.2
GeO2
4.703
GeCl4
86°C
1.887
GeF4.3H2O
Ge(C2H5O)4
 
160°C
 
0.96

* discovered 1875 by Lecoq de Boisbaudran
** discovered 1879 by Nilsen
*** discovered 1866 by Winkler


Reference

Bensaude-Vincent, B. (1995) Mendeleyev: the Story of a Discovery. In: M. Serres (editor): A History of Scientific Thought, Elements of a History of Science. Blackwell, Oxford, 556 - 582. (Translation of Éléments d'Histoire des Sciences, Bordas, Paris, 1989).


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