Element Discoveries

Project #3298 on iSENSEProject.org

Introduction To the Periodic Table

The data found in this project can be found here and here

Everything around us is made up of elements, compounds and mixtures.  Mixtures are physical blends of elements and compounds.  Compounds are chemical combinations of elements and elements, the simplest form of matter, are at the heart of chemistry! 

There are 118 known elements listed on the periodic table that were discovered by various scientists all over the world.  As you explore the data in this project with your group, discuss and record your answers to the following questions:

1.  Which element was the first to be discovered?  Which was discovered most recently?

2.  Is there a correlation between the atomic number and the discovery date?

3.  Is there a correlation between the discovery date and the location of discovery?

4. Which country is responsible for finding the most elements?  Which is responsible for finding the least elements?  On which continent are the majority of the elements found?  Why do you think the majority are found in this area?

5. The first 92 elements are naturally occurring.  Which country is responsible for finding most of the naturally occurring elements?  What percentage did of these elements (naturally occurring) were discovered by this country?  The remainder of the elements are man-made through nuclear chemistry.  Which country is responsible for finding most of the man-made elements?  What percentage of these elements (man-made) were discovered by this country?

6.  Provide some possible reasons for the difference in countries responsible for the discovery of the naturally occurring elements versus the man-made elements.

7.  Find the 12 elements that do not have a discovery location.  Provide a possible reason for the missing locations.