Mendeleev's law

8.3

Elements with similar properties appear at regular intervals when ordered by atomic number

noun
/ˈmɛndəleɪəv z lɔ/

Specialized

: ley de Mendeleev

According to Mendeleev's law, elements are arranged by atomic number.

Examples

Because of Mendeleev's law, elements with similar properties appear at regular intervals on the periodic table.
Scientists observed that Mendeleev's law helped predict undiscovered elements and their properties.
Many introductory chemistry textbooks explain Mendeleev's law as the basis for the periodic table.
The periodic table is based on Mendeleev's law.
Many introductory chemistry textbooks explain Mendeleev's law as the basis for the periodic table.
Because of Mendeleev's law, elements with similar properties appear at regular intervals on the periodic table.
Scientists observed that Mendeleev's law helped predict undiscovered elements and their properties.

Synonyms

periodic law

vsMendeleev's law

Specialized

6.5

Properties of elements repeat when they are put in order by atomic number

is the same principle but commonly referred to by a scientist's name

Surface Forms

Mendeleev's law singular

Mendeleev's laws plural

Morphology

Mendeleev's + law

The structure 'Mendeleev's law' (proper name + 'law') lets a learner infer it is a scientific principle named after Mendeleev, so the general notion of 'a law/principle' is predictable from the parts. However, the specific content (that element properties are periodic functions of atomic number) cannot be derived from the constituents alone and requires domain knowledge, so the relation is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Mendeleev's law comes from a simple picture: Dmitri Mendeleev laid out elements like cards on a table and saw the same kinds of properties 'repeat' in order. He left empty spaces for missing elements and could guess how those pieces would behave. That's why Mendeleev's law means element properties appear in a 'regular pattern' and can be predicted.