Series

Snow: Making life possible in the Arctic

Chemistry Inuit Life and Culture

In this series, we have shown the importance of ice coverage of the Arctic Ocean for Inuit survival. But equally important, particularly through the long, cold, winters is the solid crystalline form of dihydrogen oxide — snow. Author: Chaim Christiana Andersen and Geoff Rayner-Canham, Grenfell Campus, Memorial University, Corner Brook, Newfoundland

The Radioactive Elements

2019 International Year of the Periodic Table

Although the radioactive elements uranium and thorium were discovered early in the history of the elements — 1789 and 1828, respectively, years before the advent of the Periodic Table — radioactivity itself was unknown until 1896 when Henri-Antoine Becquerel (1852-1908) in Paris found that uranium could expose photographic plates, even when protected by black opaque paper. The renowned Marie Curie (1867-1934) promptly made a study of all elements (that were known at that time) and determined that only two were radioactive — uranium and thorium.

The Creation of the Periodic Table

2019 International Year of the Periodic Table

In 1789 Lavoisier turned the concept of “element” on its head when he proposed that water was a compound and that hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, sulfur, iron, copper, and 25 other substances were the true elements. Author: James L Marshall, Professor Emeritus, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas

Spectroscopy

2019 International Year of the Periodic Table

The alchemists had known since the 1500s that salts could impart various colors to a flame. In the 1700s Andreas Sigismund Marggraf (1709-1782) demonstrated that sodium salts could be differentiated from potassium salts by the former’s yellow color and the latter’s purple hue. Author: James L Marshall, Professor Emeritus, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas

The Arctic atmosphere: Unique and amazing

Chemistry Inuit Life and Culture

The Arctic atmosphere is different. There are specific pollutant problems.There are also unique types of clouds: nacreous and noctilucent. But it is the awe-inspiring aurora that are the most well-known phenomena. Authors: Chaim Christiana Andersen and Geoff Rayner-Canham, Grenfell Campus, Memorial University Corner Brook, Newfoundland

Berzelius’ World

2019 International Year of the Periodic Table

In previous chapters we have seen how chemistry has evolved in stages. First was the world of the ancients with their concept of the four elements — fire, earth, water and air. Author: James L Marshall, Professor Emeritus, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas

Chemistry of the cure

Case studies of some Inuit remedies

Before modern synthetic and analytical chemistry, every civilization and culture had to find cures or palliatives for illness and disease from the natural world. We do not know how physiologically active materials were identified, but it was presumably by a trial-and-error basis. Authors: Chaim Christiana Andersen and Geoff Rayner-Canham, Grenfell Campus, Memorial University Corner Brook, Newfoundland

Humphry Davy and the Voltaic Pile

2019 International Year of the Periodic Table

Historically, the distinction between sodium and potassium was not made easily. Only gradually was it recognized that there was a difference between “plant alkali” (potash, potassium carbonate), obtained from the ashes of plants, and “mineral alkali” (soda, sodium carbonate), found in salt flats and evaporated seawater. Author: James L Marshall, Professor Emeritus, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas

IYPT 2019 Timeline of Elements poster

To celebrate International Year of the Periodic Table (IYPT 2019) as print copy subscribers, you have received a Timeline of Elements poster with this, our last print copy of Chem 13 News magazine. Author: Jean Hein, Chem 13 News Editor, University of Waterloo, Ontario

An Introduction to the Philatelic Table of the Elements 2.0

Larry French from St. Lawrence University, Canton, New York describes his updated version of the Philatelic Table of the Elements. This new version was presented at the spring 2016 American Chemical Society Meeting to mark the International Year of the Periodic Table (IYPT 2019). This version of the table has been updated to include the four most recently named elements. In addition, a handful of stamp selections have been altered in order to broaden topical coverage in ways that might enhance potential uses in the classroom.

Philatelic Table of Elements

What would a periodic table made of postage stamps look like? Well, Larry French from St Lawrence University, Canton, New York has taken on this challenge to produce this Philatelic Table of Elements. It was first presented at the spring 2016 American Chemical Society Meeting to mark the International Year of the Periodic Table (IYPT 2019).

True elements — Lavoisier and Phlogiston

2019 International Year of the Periodic Table

The stage was now set for a giant leap in the understanding of chemistry. A vast amount of knowledge had been accumulated during the previous several thousand years. Author:James L Marshall, Professor Emeritus, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas

2019 International Year of the Periodic Table update

Timeline of Elements Social media blitz: On March 6 we began revealing the element artwork in order of atomic number. We will be tweeting out two elements a day for 59 days. Follow us @chem13news to see each elemental artwork revealed. A happy coincidence — on March 6th, Dmitri Mendeleev’s Periodic Table was announced to the Russian Physicochemical Society in 1869. This issue will be going to print when hydrogen and helium were revealed. All the artwork has been truly amazing Author: Jean Hein, Chem 13 News Editor, University of Waterloo, Ontario

The Ulu: Chemistry and Inuit women’s culture

What is an ulu? An ulu is a multi-purpose cutting tool with a semi-circular blade and a handle. It has been a major part of an Inuit woman’s life and culture for at least the last 4500 years. Authors: Chaim Christiana Andersen and Geoff Rayner-Canham, Grenfell Campus, Memorial University, Corner Brook, Newfoundland

The Miners

2019 International Year of the Periodic Table

Modern science depends upon both theory (basic science) and technology (practical applications). Likewise, progress during the Middle Ages depended upon both theory and technology — as the alchemists were plodding along with their secret recipes and cryptic writings, the practical miners were advancing their techniques for extracting the metals from the ores for spears, plowshares and ornaments. Author: James L Marshall, Professor Emeritus, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas

Marie mosaic

As inspiration for our mosaic here is another collaborative chemistry mosaic we found that appeared on the front cover of the 2011 September issue of Nature Chemistry (Volume 3 Issue 9). This cover was a celebration of the International Year of Chemistry and the 100th anniversary of the awarding of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry to Marie Curie. In this issue, Michelle Francl considers how the representation of women in science has changed since Curie's day.

Selection of early submissions to Mendeleev Mosaic

A selection of early submissions to the Mendeleev Mosaic

The Ancients and the Alchemists

2019 International Year of the Periodic Table

[This series is a companion to our International Year of the Periodic Table project — Timeline of Elements and Mendeleev Mosaic. Time periods from our timeline project will be featured highlighting the historical and scientific advancements resulting in the discoveries of the elements of that period. Jim Marshall researches the history of the discovery of the elements. Author: James L Marshall, Professor Emeritus, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas

Sea ice: Essential for northern survival

This article is the fourth part in a continuing series on chemistry and Inuit life & culture. Inuit culture is passed down from generation to generation orally, and the use of story-telling is an important function. Authors: Chaim Christiana Andersen And Geoff Rayner-Canham, Grenfell Campus, Memorial University Corner Brook, Newfoundland

2019 International Year of the Periodic Table update

In January 2019 we start to celebrate the International Year of the Periodic Table of Elements. Hopefully those who are designing elements for the Timeline of Elements project have already started!

Mendeleev Mosaic

wanted artwork of Mendeleev

Over the holiday break, make sure to encourage your students to delve into some artwork and design an image of Mendeleev. We are asking you to get your students, as well as any chemistry enthusiasts, to create an image of Mendeleev — dimensions as the hexagon tile.

Soy Sauce — An essential Inuit condiment

Living and thriving cultures innovate, adapt and incorporate from other cultures.

Timeline of elements update

We had over 200 applications for 118 elements for our 2019 International Year of Periodic Table project. There will be representation from 26 countries, 38 US states and all Canadian provinces and territories. There still is a way for all your students to participate in the timeline — Mendeleev Mosaic. See the following pages.

Mendeleev Mosaic

Exciting news! We have expanded the Timeline of Elements project — so there is an opportunity to be a part of this international collaboration to celebrate 2019 International Year of the Periodic Table.

Ramah Bay 7,000 years of Aboriginal culture — and chemistry

With this issue of Chem 13 News, we have the first in a series of articles on chemistry in northern Canada, focussing specifically on the Inuit context. The unique Inuit life and culture has developed experimentally over thousands of years in response to the challenges of limited material and food resources. And now life is being impacted by new material additions to daily lives (including pollutants).

2019 International Year of the Periodic Table Timeline of Elements

YES! We are doing another collaborative project! If you missed out on participating in our 2011 Periodic Table Project, this is your opportunity to have your students celebrate and be part of a worldwide initiative.

Know the limit and teach within it! Part 3: Evolution and revolution

In part 1 of this series,1 I described how different representations of concepts and theories can be confusing for dualist (“right or wrong”) and concrete operational students

Part 2: The evolution of models

In part one of this series, I described how switching between macroscopic, microscopic, and symbolic representations of concepts and theories can be confusing for students, especially for those still operating as dualist (right and wrong only), concrete operational thinkers. I also described the nature of scientific models, and the need to carefully identify their inherent limits.

Thought lab: Using turmeric as an indicator

This is a continuation of the Thought labs used as review for AP Chemistry. This style of review allows students to incorporate the skills they have acquired throughout their course experience in AP Chemistry while providing a platform for them to increase their comfort level in situations where they are asked to apply their learning to a new lab setting.

Thought lab: Surface area and rate of reaction

This is a continuation of the Thought Labs used as review for AP Chemistry. This style of review allows students to incorporate the skills they have acquired throughout their course experience in AP Chemistry while providing a platform for them to increase their comfort level in situations where they are asked to apply their learning to a new lab setting.

Analogies and models: Part 1

During the data collection phase of research into the high school–university transition in chemistry, my attention was caught by one comment that quite literally stated, “Our high school teachers lied to us.”

Thought lab: Catalysts and hydrogen peroxide

This is a continuation of the Thought Labs used as review for AP Chemistry. This style of review allows to students to incorporate the skills they have acquired throughout their course experience in AP Chemistry while providing a platform for them to increase their comfort level in situations where they are asked to apply their learning to a new lab setting.

Thought lab

A couple of years ago, with the re-write of the AP Chemistry test and the increased focus on inquiry...

Lime-A-Way

Spend 7 to 10 minutes with your group...

Winning tiles to be added to Periodic Table Project

periodic table project...

New elements contest winners

Nihonium was discovered in Japan. It is the first element to be discovered in Asia. To showcase this, we made our tile the Japanese flag. Since the name of nihonium translates to "land of the rising sun" in English, we made the red circle of the flag a sunrise. Along with this we added a radioactive sign to the top left of the tile. This is because nihonium is highly radioactive. Finally, we added cherry blossom trees to the bottom of our tile to represent more of the Japanese culture

Judging — Oganessian and our stakeholders

Our New Elements Contest received over 200 submissions from over 40 schools. After careful consideration, our University of Waterloo New Elements Team selected the TOP TEN submissions for each element. We asked our stakeholders to vote for the FINAL FOUR for each.

Runners up

Our New Elements Contest team selected the TOP TEN. Six tiles for each element are shown below with the other four tiles becoming the FINAL FOUR. These were selected by our stakeholder judges. The FINAL FOUR and their descriptions are shown on the next four pages.

Nihonium: Final four elemental tiles

Element 113 was discovered in Japan, so I incorporated Nihon in its name, meaning Japan in Japanese. Artistic elements in this design are drawn from Japanese aesthetics, such as the Japanese mountainous scenery and architecture, zen garden and wabi-sabi.

Moscovium: Final four elemental tiles

Moscovium is a radioactive element on the periodic table located in group 15. It was first synthesized in 2003 in a research facility found in Dubna, Russia.

Tennessine: Final four elemental tiles

There were different institutions behind this super-heavy element discovery. In my tile, I tried to honour all of them along with recognizing the contribution of the Tennessee region.

Oganesson: Final four elemental tiles

Oganesson was discovered in October of 2006 and was a scientific collaboration between Russian and American scientists. On this tile, this joint effort is depicted by the two shaking hands, with each country’s flag on the lab coat sleeve.

Early submissions to New Elements Contest

See more early submissions at https://uwaterloo.ca/chemistry/international-year-chemistry/periodic-table-project/early-submissions.

Periodic graphics of elements

Xiwen (Julie) Hu is creating her own periodic table project. She is a 16 year-old IB student in Brandon Yates’s chemistry class at Beijing City International School, Beijing, China.

Early submissions to New Elements Contest

Nihonium has the atomic number 113 and was created by a group of Japanese scientists at RIKEN in 2004. I designed it with a rising sun because nihon, in Japanese, means “land of the rising sun”.

Early submissions to New Elements Contest

We have started posting submissions to our New Elements Contest on Twitter @chem13news #NewElementsContest.

Seaborg group

This final report for the ACT2 signature-mug series includes Seaborg's contributions and those of some select members of his extended research group: Segrè, Ghiorso, and Morgan. Others in the Seaborg group, Choppin and Oganessian, were previously discussed in Texas connections

Across the pond

Dalton's mug presents 15 elements and the symbols used by Dalton. Dalton used his own symbols to visually represent the atomic structure of compounds depicted in A New System of Chemical Philosophy, where he listed 20 elements and 17 simple molecules.

Nihomium, moscovium, tennessine and organesson

The periodic table has had a big year. It started with the IUPAC announcement in January 2016 that elements 113, 115, 117 and 118 have been added to the 7th row.

Texas connections

In the April 2016 issue, the article on "Firsts" highlighted mugs dedicated to two professors who taught at The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin): Morgan and Lagowski.