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In 1875, the element gallium was discovered by P.E. Lecoq de Boisbaudran. First proposed to exist by Dmitri Mendeleyev in 1871 based on gaps in his newly created Periodic Table of Elements. He did not discover gallium by accident. For 15 years, he had been studying the different chemical elements. Lecoq de Boisbaudran knew that the element between aluminum and indium was missing. He also knew about Mendeleev's prediction. Lecoq de Boisbaudran wanted to learn more about the spectra of elements which finally lead him to gallium. He thought that gallium or element 31 might be found in zinc ores. He had no success until he realized he was using too little material. That same year, Lecoq de Boisbaudran was given several tons of zinc ore by miners for his research. Out of this ore, he was able to produce a few grams of nearly pure gallium. Lecoq de Boisbaudran had to work through a large amount of zinc ore, but his assumption was correct. The missing element was found to be in the ore, but only very small amounts. "August 27, 1875, between three and four at night, I perceived the first indications of the existence of a new element that I named gallium in honor of France (Gallia)." Also gallus, meaning "rooster"after himself 'Lecoq'. He wrote in one of his note books. Gallium was reduced to the metallic state for the first time in November, 1875, by electrolysis of a solution, containing ammonia, of its sulphate. The prior thoughts of Mendeleev are proven true. The low melting point of gallium is difficult to make up with what the theory allowed it to predict. This made it hard to keep doing research, because it was not technically allowable. Lecoq de Boisbaudran believed that neither his research nor Mendeleev's research would've lead to this discovery if he hadn't followed a particular method for many years. Gallium does not exist in pure form in nature. Found throughout the crust in minerals like bauxite, germanite and coal. It is produced as a byproduct of zinc and copper refining. Around 30 tons per year are produced worldwide. Did you know? Gallium wets glass or porcelain and forms a brilliant mirror when it is painted on glass. This is my favorite thing I learned from this project.

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Why was the discovery of germanium important for Mendeleev's table?

The discovery of germanium was important for Mendeleev's periodic table because its properties matched the gaps he had predicted in his table. This provided evidence for the periodicity of elements and the accuracy of Mendeleev's arrangement. Germanium's discovery also helped validate the periodic law which states that the properties of elements are periodic functions of their atomic numbers.


Why were the elements gallium scandium and germanium important to Medeleev?

Mendeleev used the properties of gallium, scandium, and germanium to predict their existence before they were discovered. Their discovery and properties helped confirm the accuracy of Mendeleev's periodic table and his periodic law. This further solidified Mendeleev's contributions to the development of the modern periodic table.


Why was the discovery of the element germanium so important?

The discovery of germanium was important because it filled a gap in the periodic table, demonstrating the usefulness of Mendeleev's periodic law. Germanium's properties as a semiconductor also made it a crucial element for the development of early electronic devices like transistors, paving the way for modern technology.


How did Mendeleev predict germanium?

Mendeleev predicted the existence and properties of germanium by leaving gaps in his periodic table for elements that had not yet been discovered. He correctly deduced the properties of the missing element based on the pattern of elements around its position in the table. When germanium was discovered, its properties closely matched Mendeleev's predictions, confirming the validity of his periodic table.


What element was discovered in 1871 by Mendeleev?

The element discovered by Mendeleev in 1871 was germanium. Mendeleev predicted the existence of this element and its properties before it was actually discovered.

Related Questions

Which discovery showed that Mendeleev was correct in organizing his table of elements according to properties?

The discovery of undiscovered elements with properties predicted by Mendeleev's periodic table (like gallium, germanium, and scandium) confirmed the accuracy of his organization. These elements filled gaps in the periodic table and established a pattern of periodicity that supported Mendeleev's initial insights.


Why was the discovery of germanium important for Mendeleev's table?

The discovery of germanium was important for Mendeleev's periodic table because its properties matched the gaps he had predicted in his table. This provided evidence for the periodicity of elements and the accuracy of Mendeleev's arrangement. Germanium's discovery also helped validate the periodic law which states that the properties of elements are periodic functions of their atomic numbers.


Why were the elements gallium scandium and germanium important to Medeleev?

Mendeleev used the properties of gallium, scandium, and germanium to predict their existence before they were discovered. Their discovery and properties helped confirm the accuracy of Mendeleev's periodic table and his periodic law. This further solidified Mendeleev's contributions to the development of the modern periodic table.


Why was the discovery of the element germanium so important?

The discovery of germanium was important because it filled a gap in the periodic table, demonstrating the usefulness of Mendeleev's periodic law. Germanium's properties as a semiconductor also made it a crucial element for the development of early electronic devices like transistors, paving the way for modern technology.


Why were element gallium and germanium important to mendeleev?

Gallium and germanium were important to Mendeleev because their properties fit well into his periodic table, filling the gaps he had predicted based on the patterns of other elements. The discovery and confirmation of these two elements helped validate his periodic law and strengthen his periodic table's credibility.


Mendeleev's predicted an atomic mass for the element that was later discovered and named germanium how much does germanium actual atomic mass differ from his prediction?

Mendeleev predicted the atomic mass of germanium to be approximately 68 g/mol. The actual atomic mass of germanium is about 72.63 g/mol. This results in a difference of roughly 4.63 g/mol between Mendeleev's prediction and the actual value.


What group of elements did Mendeleev omit?

i have no idea but i will check and keep you posted.


How did Mendeleev predict germanium?

Mendeleev predicted the existence and properties of germanium by leaving gaps in his periodic table for elements that had not yet been discovered. He correctly deduced the properties of the missing element based on the pattern of elements around its position in the table. When germanium was discovered, its properties closely matched Mendeleev's predictions, confirming the validity of his periodic table.


Why were the holes in mendeleev's table important?

The holes suggested that there were "missing" elements that hadn't been discovered yet. Mendeleev successfully predicted the basic properties of germanium, which hadn't been discovered at the time, based on the properties he expected an element in that position to have. He called it "eka-silicon" (eka is a Sanskrit word meaning "one", because it was one period "higher" than silicon).When germanium was later discovered and turned out to have properties very similar to what Mendeleev had predicted, it went a long way towards validating Mendeleev's concept.


What element was discovered in 1871 by Mendeleev?

The element discovered by Mendeleev in 1871 was germanium. Mendeleev predicted the existence of this element and its properties before it was actually discovered.


What element did mendeleev call ekasilicon?

Mendeleev proposed that there must be missing elements, to which he gave the provisional names Ekaboron, Ekaaluminum and Ekasilicon. Scankium, Gallium and Germanpoop were discovered in 1879, 1875 and 1886, respectively, with properties very close to those predicted by Mendeleev. hey Glen


How was Dmitri Mendeleev able to predict the properties of germanium?

Dmitri Mendeleev was able to predict the properties of germanium by leaving gaps in his periodic table for elements that were yet to be discovered. He noticed a pattern in the properties of known elements and used this pattern to predict the existence and properties of undiscovered elements, such as germanium.