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Memorizing the Periodic
Table of Chemical Elements
A Simple Method
Darden H. Dickson
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Price: $20.00
Casebound Printed | 16 pages
ISBN: 978-0-9799186-0-5 |
Summary
In the fall of 1997 I took an Introduction to Chemistry class (Chem 100) at Tacoma Community College, Tacoma, Washington. We were required to memorize at least eight or ten of the more important chemical elements. I asked myself at the time if it was possible to memorize the number of protons(1) and their symbols for the entire periodic table? That question grew to include memorization of nuclear mass numbers. The answer to both questions is yes, and the process is a simple one as you will see.
The first part of the memorization process is to use a blank Periodic Table. This book provides one that you can duplicate for memory work. You can also construct one with two sheets of college-ruled paper, a straight edge, and a pen or pencil. Building one for yourself is a very helpful aid in memorization because it requires you to learn the number of chemical elements in each row and the number of rows. Either way, once you have a blank Periodic Table you are ready to begin your memory work.
First of all, a chemical element is identified by the number of protons. Hydrogen has one, Helium two, Lithium has three, etc. The number of protons goes in sequential order from 1 to 112, each number representing an individual chemical element. Memorization requires associating the number of protons with the chemical element and its symbol. Its physical place in the Periodic Table helps in memorization. This book provides a complete sequential listing of chemical elements by the number of protons (Table 1) to aid you in the memorization process.
The second part of the memorization process, once the symbols for the chemical elements and the number of protons have been recorded, is to memorize the simple formulas and the series of black numbers shown in the Memorization Key. These will help you to easily derive the nuclear mass numbers. (1)I have chosen the phrase “the number of protons” to replace the phrase “the atomic numbers” for philosophy of science reasons. The word atom in Greek (άτομοσ) means indivisible or uncut. All the chemical elements of the Periodic Table can be broken down into smaller parts.
About the Author
Darden H. Dickson has had a varied career as an electronic technician. At Biotronex Laboratory in Silver Spring, Maryland, he worked on manufacturing electro-magnetic blood-flow transducers. In Washington State, he has worked on high-end ultrasound systems for the detection of blood-flow, and test systems for devices used in stroke therapy. The author has a strong interest in the work of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Paolo Soleri, and F.S.C. Northrop. Mr. Dickson currently lives in Renton, Washington.
