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Periodic Table of Elements To Get an Update
Lazarian writes "Scientists from around the world have put forth an update to the Periodic Table of Elements. In particular, they are changing the manner in which atomic weights of ten elements are expressed. From the article: 'For example, sulfur is commonly known to have a standard atomic weight of 32.065. However, its actual atomic weight can be anywhere between 32.059 and 32.076, depending on where the element is found.'"
Again?.
To summarise the summary of the summary: people are a problem. ~ h2g2
not really, if it's a problem now, it was then too since these weights didn't magically change. Really, it doesn't terribly matter much as it is, the discrepancy is tiny and for most molecules, largely irrelevant. For any calculation that really reall matters, you won't be using the range on the table, you'd be measuring the isotope ratio in your sample and for times when it doesn't, well, that's self explanatory.
Sigs are too short to say anything truly profound so read the above post instead.
While we're at it, maybe this is a good time for you colonials to finally learn how to spell?
Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
Chemistry students don't need this many significant figures. Last time I took classes in that, I remember using about 4 significant figures (2 after the decimal) for everything.
The hard part of any problem in science is solving it : performing the calculations with any arbitrary number of significant figures is trivial.
And for real world uses, the atomic weight of an element is going to depend on exactly what ore you are using of that element. If your problem is affected by significant figures this far to the right of the decimal, you probably need data on exactly what you are working with.
Just as soon as you guys learn how to cook.
Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
Re:Aluminium. Sulphur.
While we're at it, maybe this is a good time for you colonials to finally learn how to spell?
Okay, I'll feed the troll.
The name originates from the Latin word 'sulfur' and Middle English 'sulfre' meaning brimstone. [cite]
On the other hand, the other word is a bit more blurry as to who "wins"
...In 1807, Davy proposed the name alumium for the metal, undiscovered at that time, and later agreed to change it to aluminum.
Shortly thereafter, the name aluminium was adopted by IUPAC to conform with the "ium" ending of most elements. Aluminium is the IUPAC spelling and therefore the international standard.
Aluminium was also the accepted spelling in the U.S.A. until 1925, at which time the American Chemical Society decided to revert back to aluminum, and to this day Americans still refer to aluminium as "aluminum".
[cite]
I only post comments when someone on the internet is wrong.
Well, England were on for a whitewash but Australia seem to have made a sudden comeback and we may have a real fight on our hands for the Ashes after all.
Even the pure isotopes don't have an exact integer atomic mass, with the exception of Carbon-12. The mass of a nucleus isn't just protons+neutrons - it also includes the energy holding them together.
One gripe I have about the IUPAC's insistence on -ium for aluminium is that they break that convention for elements like tantalum, platinum, molybdenum, and lanthanum. Y'know, if they really, REALLY wanted to be consistent, they'd rename those tantalium, platinium, molybdenium, and lanthanium.
Of course, I can't complain too hard, as the ACS used "aluminium" until they changed their minds...
"We are Microsoft. You shall be assimilated. Competition is futile."
You lot have cheese in a can. I rest my case.
Maybe they downgraded it.
You raise an interesting point, but since Frenchmen are indistinguishable from monkeys, I'm not sure that counts. ;)
"I saw a tramp smoking a fag the other day"
Quite impressive the amount of misunderstanding that could come from such a short sentence, right? An English tramp of course, is an American bum. But an American tramp is an English slut. An English bum is an American fanny. And a fag as you should know, is of course a cigarette.) * Couldn't care less, really, if there's one thing you get right. Please, make it this.
Our sulfur doesn't stink.