Who formulated the periodic law?

Dmitri Mendeleev is recognized for formulating the periodic law, which states that when elements are arranged in order of increasing atomic number, there is a periodic repetition of their chemical and physical properties. Mendeleev organized the known elements into a table based on their atomic weights, leading to the creation of the first widely recognized periodic table. His work allowed for the prediction of the existence and properties of elements that had not yet been discovered, demonstrating the periodic nature of elemental properties.

The periodic law has proven to be foundational in chemistry, providing insights into the behavior of elements and their relationships with one another. Mendeleev’s periodic table not only categorized elements but also highlighted trends, which continue to inform chemical research and education today.