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Dmitri Mendeleev Research Paper

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Ben Jensen Mr. Houston Chemistry 14 May 2014 Dmitri Mendeleev "It is the function of science to discover the existence of a general reign of order in nature and to find the causes governing this order. And this refers in equal measure to the relations of man - social and political - and to the entire universe as a whole." This quote from Dmitri Mendeleev, a famous chemist from the mid-1800s, helps illustrate both his work as a chemist and his opinion about the importance of scientific research and education. Dmitri Mendeleev was an important chemist and influential scientist whose discovery of the periodic table helped contribute to society by creating a way for the elements to be categorized, allowing other scientists to easily study, identify, …show more content…

His father went blind the year he was born, so his mother was forced to re-open a glass factory that the family had previously owned. At the age of sixteen, the glass factory had burned down and his father had passed away; consequently, his mother moved the family to St. Petersburg, located 4,000 miles away, in order to provide her children with the opportunity to further their education. Mendeleev enrolled in the Institute of Pedagogy, and ten days later, his mother died of tuberculosis. Graduating the top of his class, Mendeleev received his master's degree in chemistry in 1856 and began research in organic chemistry. He spent two years studying abroad at the University of Heidelberg. He spent a short amount of time studying with Robert Bunsen who introduced Mendeleev to chemical spectroscopy, the study of the interaction of electromagnetic radiation and matter used by Bunsen to discover the element Cesium. Despite being surrounded by distinguished chemists at the university, Mendeleev chose to work alone in his private laboratory set up in his apartment. In 1860, he attended the International Chemistry Congress where he studied atomic weights, chemical symbols, and chemical formulas. He would use this research later on to formulate and design the periodic table we know and use …show more content…

He was also a founder of the Russian Chemical Society. Mendeleev worked tirelessly to improve Russia's economy through the petroleum and coal industry. Married twice, he had a combined total of six children. He was also presented several prestigious awards for his scientific achievements. In 1905, he was awarded the Copley Medal, the highest honor of the British Royal Society, granted membership to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, and was very nearly awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry. In 1955, element 101 was named Mendelevium in his honor. Mendeleev died on February 2, 1907, and was buried in St. Petersburg, but his legacy lives on. His mission, to create an organized system for classifying the elements, has finally been achieved. Works Cited Bensaude-Vincent, Bernadette. “Dmitri Mendeleev.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2 Jan. 2018, www.britannica.com/biography/Dmitri-Mendeleev. “Dmitri Mendeleev.” Khan Academy, Khan Academy, www.khanacademy.org/partner-content/big-history-project/stars-and-elements/knowing-stars-elements/a/dmitri-mendeleev. “Dmitri Mendeleev.” Marie Curie Facts & Biography | Famous Chemists, 2014, famouschemists.org/dmitri-mendeleev/. “Dmitri Mendeleyev.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 29 Nov. 2016, www.biography.com/people/dmitri-mendeleyev-9405465.

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