Dmitri Mendeleev published his periodic system for classifying all the known elements 150 years ago. That system gave birth to the periodic table we've come to know and love. To celebrate this anniversary, the United Nations General Assembly and UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization proclaimed 2019 the International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements. C&EN is joining the celebration by releasing original content—features, videos, photos, and more—throughout 2019.
How the periodic table changed my life
YouTube star Sir Martyn Poliakoff and other essayists share personal stories about how the elements have shaped their worlds
Element collecting: A niche hobby that connects people to chemistry
Enthusiasts assemble personal museums of metals, minerals, and other matter as they strive to collect them all
39 elements in 10 days
A historical periodic table road trip
Kit Chapman tells stories of the superheavy elements
The science journalist’s new book explores the people and places at the edge of the periodic table
To get noble gases to forge bonds, chemists go to extremes
Despite challenging conditions and a lack of funding, some researchers still see rewards in coaxing reactivity from these nearly inert elements
Exploring the superheavy elements at the end of the periodic table
These scientists want to know how elements 104 through 118 look and behave
Periodic Graphics: The origins of the elements
Chemical educator and Compound Interest blogger Andy Brunning shines a light on how the big bang and reactions in stars forged the elements
Advertisement
Podcast: Scientists share what it takes to make a superheavy element
Inspired by a recent periodic table–themed pub trivia event, Stereo Chemistry explores the stories behind isolating some of the heaviest elements known
Periodic Graphics: Essential elements for humans
Chemical educator and Compound Interest blogger Andy Brunning shines a light on the parts of the periodic table that make life possible
The International Year of the Periodic Table trivia quiz
A towering testament to scientists’ powers of prediction, the periodic table helps us make sense of the chemical elements. You’ve probably seen it scores of times before, but how well do you really know this iconic table? Try testing your knowledge here.
Meet the 'I Spy a Periodic Table' Readers’ Choice winner
High school chemistry teacher Lauren Langman inspires chemists of all ages
Chemists explore the periodic table’s actinide frontier
Investigations of the table’s shadowy realms are enjoying a renaissance
Announcing the "I Spy a Periodic Table" photo contest results
In celebration of the International Year of the Periodic Table, we picked our top entries. Vote for your favorite and view all the submissions
The International Year of the Periodic Table officially kicks off in Paris
Opening ceremony features periodic tables galore, musical performances, and scientific talks
Sketch Chemistry: Knights of the Periodic Table
To see more Sketch Chemistry, visit cenm.ag/sketch.
The periodic table is an icon. But chemists still can’t agree on how to arrange it
New data about the elements and their relationships have led to debate over the 150-year-old table’s optimum ordering
2019: The year the periodic table gets its due
Join C&EN as we celebrate 150 years of chemistry’s most iconic symbol
