Mendeleyev's Dream by Paul Strathern
- 1. In 'Mendeleyev's Dream: The Quest for the Elements', author Paul Strathern embarks on a fascinating journey through the history of chemistry, focusing particularly on the life and contributions of Dmitri Mendeleyev, the Russian chemist best known for creating the Periodic Table of Elements. Strathern artfully weaves together Mendeleyev's personal story with the larger scientific landscape of the 19th century, illustrating how the quest to understand the fundamental building blocks of matter was not just a scientific endeavor but also a reflection of human curiosity and ambition. Through vivid storytelling, we learn about Mendeleyev's struggles and triumphs as he worked to organize the elements in a way that revealed their underlying relationships and patterns. Strathern delves into the lives and ideas of Mendeleyev's contemporaries and predecessors, providing context for Mendeleyev's groundbreaking work and highlighting the collaborative nature of scientific discovery. The book not only celebrates Mendeleyev's genius but also captures the essence of a pivotal moment in science, when the pursuit of knowledge and the understanding of the natural world began to transform human thought and society. With a blend of biographical detail, historical narrative, and scientific insight, 'Mendeleyev's Dream' invites readers to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the elements that comprise our universe.
In what year did Mendeleyev create his periodic table?
A) 1885
B) 1869
C) 1901
D) 1848
- 2. Which element did Mendeleyev predict and call 'eka-aluminum'?
A) Germanium
B) Gallium
C) Silicon
D) Scandium
- 3. How did Mendeleyev organize elements in his table?
A) Alphabetically by element name
B) By discovery date
C) By color and texture
D) By atomic weight and chemical properties
- 4. Which element is named after Mendeleyev?
A) Mendelevium
B) Dmitrium
C) Mendeleyevium
D) Periodium
- 5. Which scientist's work competed with Mendeleyev's periodic table?
A) Lothar Meyer
B) John Dalton
C) Marie Curie
D) Robert Boyle
- 6. What was Mendeleyev's background?
A) Aristocratic St. Petersburg family
B) Royal lineage
C) Wealthy merchant family
D) Born in Siberia to a large family
- 7. What was Mendeleyev's most famous book?
A) Elemental Patterns
B) Atomic Theory
C) Principles of Chemistry
D) The Chemical Dream
- 8. How did Mendeleyev die?
A) Laboratory accident
B) Old age peacefully
C) Influenza
D) Heart attack
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