Eric Scerri presents a modern and fresh exploration of this fundamental topic in the physical sciences, considering the deeper implications of the arrangements of the table to atomic physics and quantum mechanics. This new edition celebrates the completion of the 7th period of the table, with the naming of elements 113, 115, 117, and 118

• 1: Introduction


• 2: Atomic weight, Triads and Prout


• 3: Steps towards the periodic table


• 4: Triumph of a Russian genius


• 5: The impact of the new physics


• 6: How the electron explains the periodic table


• 7: How chemists reacted


• 8: Quantum Mechanics makes further advances


• 9: Forged in the stars


• 10: Back to chemistry


• 11: Why so many tables? Which is best?


• Further reading


• Index

Eric R. Scerri is a lecturer at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the founder and editor-in-chief of Foundations of Chemistry, a journal covering the history and philosophy of chemistry, and chemical education. He has authored over 150 articles in peer-reviewed journals and many articles in popular science magazines, including Scientific American, American Scientist, and Cosmos, among others. His books include A Tale of Seven Elements, (Oxford University Press, 2013) and A Tale of Seven Scientists and A New Philosophy of Science, (Oxford University Press, 2016). Further information about the author can be found at www.ericscerri.com