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What were the limitations of Mendeleev's periodic table?

ChemistryClass 10CBSEAnswered 28 May 2026
Answer
  1. Position of hydrogen: Resembles both alkali metals and halogens not correctly placed.
  2. Anomalous pairs: Some elements arranged incorrectly (e.g., iodine placed after tellurium despite lower atomic mass).
  3. No room for isotopes: Different atomic masses would require separate positions.
  4. Group VIII anomaly: Fe, Co, Ni placed in the same group — unexplained.
  5. No theoretical basis for why properties repeat periodically.

Mendeleev's table had flaws in hydrogen's placement, anomalous element pairs, no accommodation for isotopes, and lacked a scientific basis for periodicity.

Chemistry · Class 10