The Periodic Table: An Eight Period Table For The 21^st Centrury

Abstract

Throughout most of the 20th century, an eight-period periodic table (also known as an electron-configuration table) was offered as an improvement over the ubiquitous seven-period format of wall charts and textbooks. The eight-period version has never achieved wide acceptance although it has significant advantages. Many observers have questioned the way helium is displayed in this format. Now, a reinterpretation of the relationship of the first-period elements to successive elements may help make the eight-period table an attractive choice for the 21st century.