Abstract

SCERRI, Eric. A response to Labarca and Zambon on their claimed reconceptualization of the concept of element and its basis as a new representation of the periodic system. Educ. quím [online]. 2018, vol.29, n.1, pp.126-130. ISSN 0187-893X.  https://doi.org/10.22201/fq.18708404e.2018.1.63721.

In 2013 Labarca and Zambon published an article in which they reviewed the philosophical research on the dual concept of a chemical element. They also claimed that the notion of an element as a basic substance could be characterized by focusing upon the lightest and heaviest isotopes of each element. By further focusing on just the lightest isotopes they presented a new version of the periodic system which they proceeded to compare with the conventional format as well as a form that I have revived. On making these comparisons they claimed that of the 22 triads that they examined, 15 triads involving the lightest isotopes were more accurate than the equivalent triads using the average atomic weights of the elements in question. The present article consists of an examination of these various claims.

Keywords : periodic table; Mendeleev; triads; philosophy of chemistry; chemical education.

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