2019- International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements  

Team Udayavani, Jan 5, 2019, 10:36 AM IST

• 150 years old theory still remains relevant

In the year 1869, Dmitri Mendeleev discovered the Periodic System and 2019 will be the 150^th anniversary of this discovery. Due to this reason, the United Nations General Assembly and UNESCO has proclaimed this year as the “International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements (IYPT2019)”.

Who is Dmitri Mendeleev?

Dmitri Ivanovich Mendeleev was a Russian chemist and inventor and was born on 8 February 1834 in the village of Verkhnie Aremzyani, near Tobolsk in Siberia. He is an alumni of St Petersburg University. He is known for his discovery of the Periodic Table, formulation of the Periodic Law, finding of the atomic weight which has immensely helped in the field of chemistry. For his unique work he was honoured with the Noble prize in 1906.

Reason for celebration?

The United Nations General Assembly and UNESCO has proclaimed the 2019 as the “International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements (IYPT2019)” with the aim of raising global awareness of how chemistry promotes sustainable development and provides solutions to global challenges in energy, education, agriculture and health.

How will it be celebrated?

Throughout the year, UNESCO, Scientific Associations, Educational and Research Institutions will conduct workshops regarding the importance of the periodic table and how it is applicable to the present world. Attempts will be made to encourage the researchers of the future generations to conduct research in this field.

What is this periodic table?

The periodic table is a tabular arrangement of the chemical elements, arranged by atomic number, electron configuration, and recurring chemical properties, whose structure shows periodic trends. It explains about the chemical process and the chemical properties. Based on this various experiments have taken place and are still being conducted. Even though it is a 150 years old theory, it still remains relevant.

Article by Dhanyashri Boliyar translated into English by Aaron Dmello