Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

On maps for discovery: Did the periodic table guide elemental discovery?

  • Published:
Scientometrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The metaphor of “maps” as cognitive tools aiding scientific discovery may be particularly appropriate for discussing the role of the periodic table of the elements in the progress of chemistry. In a tribute to the contributions ofDerek Price, the use of maps, their advantages and disadvantages, and changes in the table are explored. The authors conclude that the table did serve as a general guide to discovery but that more insightful models of a different sort also played an important role.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. D. J. DE SOLLA PRICE, Some Aspects of ‘World Brain’ Notions, in:Information for Action M. KOCHEN, (Ed.), Academic Press, New York, 1975, pp. 189–190.

    Google Scholar 

  2. M. KOCHEN, Adaptive Mechanisms in Digital ‘Concept’ Processing,Proc. Joint Autom. Control Conf., AIEE 1962 pp. 49–59.

  3. M. E. STEVENS, A Machine Model of Recall,Proc. Int. Conf. on Information Processing, UNESCO Paris, 1959 pp. 309–315.

  4. D. J. DE SOLLA PRICE,Little Science, Big Science. New York: Columbia University Press, 1963, p. 29.

    Google Scholar 

  5. M. KOCHEN, R. CRICKMAN, A. BLAIVAS, Distribution of Scientific Expertise as Recognized by Peer Consensus,Scientometrics 4 (1982) No. 2.

    Google Scholar 

  6. G. Evelyn HUTCHINSON,An Introduction to Population Ecology, Yale University Press, New Haven, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  7. See especially Henry M. LEICESTER,The Historical Background of Chemistry, A. J. HOPKINS,Alchemy, Child of Greek Philosophy and Robert BOYLE,The Sceptical Chymist.

  8. J. W. DOBEREINER,Darstellung der Verhältnisszahlen der iridischen Elemente zu Chemischen Verbindungen, Jena, 1816.

  9. A. E. Beguyer DE CHANCOURTOIS,Compte Rendus, 54 (1862).

  10. A. E. Beguyer DE CHANCOURTOIS,Compte Rendus, 55 (1862).

  11. J. A. R. NEWLANDS,Chem. News, 7 (1865) 70.

    Google Scholar 

  12. L. MEYER,Die Modernen Theorien der Chemie und ihre Bedeuting fur die Chemische Statistik, Breslau (Wroclaw), 1864.

  13. O. N. PISARZHEVSKY,Dimitri Ivanovich Mendeleev: His Life and Work, Moscow, 1954.

  14. BOISBAUDRAN, Chemical and Spectroscopic Character of a New Metal, Gallium, discovered in the Blade of the Mine of Pierrefitte, in the Valley of Argeles, Pyrenees,Am. Chemist. 6, 146 [October 1875].

    Google Scholar 

  15. G. J. STONEY,Chem. News, 71 (1895) 67.

    Google Scholar 

  16. SEABORG, Glenn T., The Periodic Table-Tortuous Path to Man-made Elements,C&E News, April 16 (1979) p. 46.

  17. SEABORG,Ibid, The Periodic Table-Tortuous Path to Man-made Elements,C&E News, April 16 (1979) p. 47.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mental Health Research Institute The University of Michigan, 48109, Ann Arbor, MI, (USA)

    M. Kochen & J. Lansing

Authors
  1. M. Kochen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. Lansing
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kochen, M., Lansing, J. On maps for discovery: Did the periodic table guide elemental discovery?. Scientometrics 7, 327–339 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02017152

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02017152

Keywords

Search

Navigation