Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner Was a German chemist who discovered ways to organize chemical elements three in three, based on their atomic characteristics. These ways of organizing the elements are called Döbereiner's Triads.
The triads were the greatest contribution of this scientist, because they are the antecedent of the ordering of the chemical elements in the periodic table Which is known today.
Döbereiner's life was very interesting, since from an early age his interest in science was very evident. He devoted himself to the study of chemistry and his researches were fruitful, since they collaborated to a great extent to modify the conception of the time in relation to the chemical elements.
From its studies, it was possible to detect similarities between some components and, thanks to this new order, it was possible to study the chemical elements In a more effective and deeper way.
But in addition to the Döbereiner Triads, this German scientist left other contributions of great importance to the science of today. Next, some of the most relevant aspects of his life and the characteristics of his most important contributions to the scientific field will be mentioned.
The life of Johann Döbereiner
Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner was born in Jena (Germany) on December 13, 1780 and died on March 24, 1849, at the age of 69.
His father, Johann Adam Döbereiner, worked as a coachman, which meant that Döbereiner did not have many training opportunities within the formal system.
However, she was self-taught and also had the support of her mother, Johanna Susanna Göring, in her learning process.
In 1794, when he was 14, Döbereiner went to see the apothecary of the area, on the initiative of his mother, and became his apprentice.
From this experience gained many knowledge, being able to later enter the University of Jena, where he attended several courses.
From 1810, Döbereiner began teaching as an assistant professor and then became the supervisor of the area of scientific studies at the University of Jena.
Main contributions
During his years at the University of Jena, he developed different studies regarding the properties of chemical elements.
Among his contributions are the identification of the catalytic properties of platinum and, from these studies, the design of the first portable lighter.
But their most relevant contribution was the calls Döbereiner triads , Which resulted in the background of the periodic table that is known today.
The following are the characteristics of the most important contributions attributed to Johann Döbereiner:
Döbereiner lamp
This lighter represents the application of platinum as a catalyst. The apparatus consisted of a glass cylinder, inside it was an open bottle, which hung in the center of the cylinder.
Inside the suspended bottle hung a thread that had a part of zinc at the lower end. At the top of the cylinder was a locking wrench, a nozzle and a platinum sponge.
The lamp worked by stimulation of the hydrogen, that was generated as a consequence of the action of the zinc inside the cylinder.
Hydrogen exits through the nozzle, comes into contact with the platinum located on the outside of the cylinder, heated by the action of oxygen with platinum, and arises.
This invention appeared in 1823 and was widely marketed until 1880. It was quite demanded during the time it was on the market, coming to sell more than a million lamps.
The disadvantages of this invention were the materials: hydrogen is a dangerous gas, because it is extremely flammable, it can produce explosions and, if it is inhaled in large quantities, it can generate lack of oxygen.
On the other hand, platinum was a very expensive material, so it was not profitable or practical to continue marketing the Döbereiner lamp.
However, some of these artifacts are still preserved today, which are considered collectors' items, since this invention is considered the first portable lighter ever created.
Döbereiner triads
The Döbereiner Triads constitute the greatest contribution of this German chemist. The intention of this study was to find a way to order the chemical elements known until then, so that they could be studied and understood in a better way.
Döbereiner inquired about the different relationships that linked the elements together. In his investigations he found very particular similarities between groups of chemical elements.
From 1817, this scientist affirmed that there were similar characteristics between certain elements. Thus, in 1827 he formulated his arguments to discover that similar elements could be grouped into sets of three.
His studies focused on the atomic masses of the elements; That is, in the masses of the protons and neutrons that make up the atoms.
Döbereiner realized that he could link three different chemical elements by taking into account their atomic masses.
For example, Döbereiner linked chlorine, bromine, and iodine to realize that by adding the atomic masses of chlorine and iodine and dividing them by two, the resulting number is very close to the atomic mass of the bromine.
The same thing happened with other elements, such as sulfur, selenium and tellurium; And lithium, sodium and potassium; And calcium, strontium and barium. And as more chemicals were discovered, the triads grew.
Döbereiner's premise was that the atomic masses of the chemical elements at the ends of the triad were directly related to the atomic mass of the element in the middle.
It is considered that, from these notions, the concept of the"chemical families"was later generated, criterion that refers to the series of elements that have characteristics and similar properties.
The Döbereiner Triads are also considered the first successful approach to the current ordering of elements in the periodic table that is used today, because it was the first initiative to organize the elements based on the particularities of their compounds and qualities.
References
- "Döbereiner's triads"on BBC. Retrieved on 17 August 2017 from BBC: bbc.co.uk.
- "Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner"at the University of Puerto Rico in Arecibo. Retrieved on 17 August 2017 from the University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo: upra.edu.
- "Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner"in Biography. Retrieved on 17 August 2017 from Biography: biography.com.
- "Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner"in Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved on 17 August 2017 by Encyclopedia Britannica: britannica.com.
- "Döbereiner, Johann Wolfgang"in Encyclopedia. Retrieved on 17 August 2017 from Encyclopedia: encyclopedia.com.
- Esteban, S."The History of the Periodic System"(2010) in Google Books. Retrieved on 17 August 2017 from Google Books: books.google.co.ve.
- "Döbereiner's Lamp - Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner and History of the First Lighter"in History of Matches. Retrieved on 17 August 2017 from History of Matches: historyofmatches.com.
- "Evolution of the lighters"in Only Tobacco. Retrieved on 17 August 2017 by Sólo Tabaco: solotabaco.com.
- Chavez, G."Hydrogen gas hazards"in Muy Fitness. Retrieved on 17 August 2017 from Muy Fitness: muyfitness.com.