Questions for The Professor - Periodic Table of Videos

TL;DR

The Professor answers chemistry and personal questions about element names, periodic tables, and what sparked his love of science. He recommends “aluminium,” says he currently owns about six or seven periodic-table ties, and explains that newer elements may honor places or influential scientists. He also describes the pocket chain he uses as a fidget toy and lecture prop. Read on for his full explanations and stories.

Transcript

so I just press space or do I have to have the thing on the oh that's okay just space hi professor my question is is it aluminum or aluminium cuz I want to know what to call my aluminium model hi it's a great model and you should call it aluminium aluminum used to be the American name but a few years ago I can't remember 10 15 perhaps 20 20 years a... Read More

Key Insights

• 📛 "Aluminum" and "aluminium" are both valid names for the same element, with differences arising from historical agreements.
• 📛 Element names have diverse origins, including ancient tribal names and more recent inspirations from scientists and places.
• 🚰 The professor has an extensive collection of periodic tables and periodic table-themed items, demonstrating his passion for chemistry.
• 👶 The discoverers of new elements often name them to honor scientists who influenced them, celebrate scientific achievements, or pay tribute to specific concepts.
• 👨‍🏫 The professor's enthusiasm for science developed from reading books and performing experiments during supervised homework sessions at his boarding school.
• 👨‍🏫 Chemistry, with its fascinating reactions and vivid colors, captured the professor's interest during his teenage years and continues to inspire him.
• 😒 The professor carries a chain with him, which he began doing as a teenager and uses it as a fidget toy during lectures. He even employs it for demonstrations of physics principles.

Questions & Answers

Q: Should it be called aluminum or aluminium?

The Professor recommends calling it “aluminium.” He says “aluminum” was the American name, but an agreement called for Americans to adopt “aluminium” while Europeans changed some of their element names.

Q: How many periodic tables and periodic-table ties does The Professor own?

He does not know the total number of periodic tables he owns, but his collection includes two cups, fridge magnets, mouse mats, an umbrella, and many tables in his office. He currently has about six or seven periodic-table ties, although he has owned more and sometimes gives one away when somebody admires it.

Q: Where did the names of elements come from?

Element names come from many sources. Ancient elements such as gold acquired different names among different tribes or nations, while more recently discovered elements may be named for their place of discovery, influential scientists, or ideas the discoverers want to celebrate.

Q: Who names newly discovered heavy elements?

The Professor says newer elements are named by the people who discover them. Because very heavy elements are now discovered by huge teams, it is difficult to predict which team member’s inspiration will shape the final name.

Q: What is the hardest element name for The Professor to pronounce?

He identifies the name of element 111 as the hardest for him to say in English. He adds that element names can be especially difficult to pronounce when speaking nervously in front of a class.

Q: What first interested The Professor in science and chemistry?

His school did not teach science before he was 13, so he read science books and performed experiments during supervised homework sessions. Although he liked physics, he found its mathematics difficult; chemistry captured him through memorable facts, vivid colors, and reactions when he was about 14, 15, or 16.

Q: Why does The Professor carry a chain?

As a teenager, he bought a replacement after breaking the chain on his parents’ bath, then repaired the original and kept the new one as a toy. He now carries his third chain, plays with it while speaking, and sometimes uses it to demonstrate angular momentum to first-year students; on airplanes, he takes a plastic chain instead.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The professor explains that the term "aluminum" is used in America, while "aluminium" is preferred in Europe due to an agreement.

• He talks about his extensive collection of periodic tables, including cups, magnets, mouse mats, and ties, which he has given away to admirers.

• The origins of element names are diverse, ranging from ancient tribal names to recent inspirations from scientists and scientific concepts.