Fascination of Science: The Periodic Table From a Quantum

The first periodic table of elements was proposed by Dmitri Ivanovich Mendeleev in 1869. It was based on arranging the elements in ascending order of atomic weight and grouping for similarities in chemical properties. It is considered to be most fundamental to chemistry.

But in 2019 key questions remain unanswered: where does the periodic table end? What is quantum theory doing in this area? How can one predict the chemical and physical behaviour of superheavy elements?

Distinguished Professor Peter Schwerdtfeger is the director of the Theoretical Chemistry and Physics Centre and member of the Institute for Advanced Study. In this talk he will discuss the periodic table of the elements from a quantum perspective from Mendeleev to Ogansson.