Palladium - Periodic Table of Videos

TL;DR

Chemist Weston discovered Palladium and sold it as the "new silver," sparking controversy and scientific investigation.

Transcript

Weston wasn't entirely mercenary and when he died in the 1820s he Beque that's left in his will samples of his Metals platinum and Palladium to the Royal Society and we still have them let's see what's in the box and here you can see there is sample that is labeled padium and if we look inside imagine that you've discovered a new element what would... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤘 Chemist Weston discovered Palladium in the 1800s and marketed it as a valuable metal, using pricing and chemical properties to attract buyers.
• 🥺 The authenticity of Palladium was initially challenged, leading Weston to publish a scientific paper describing the metal's properties and reactions.
• ❓ Samples of Palladium and Platinum, donated to the Royal Society, were used by Michael Faraday for electrochemical experiments.
• 🙈 The names "Palladium" and "Platinum" are connected to the excitement surrounding the discovery of a new planet and the presence of other noble metals in ores.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Weston initially sell Palladium and what evidence supports its discovery?

Weston sold Palladium as the "new silver," utilizing a piece of paper with chemical properties and pricing. This evidence suggests that he believed he had discovered a new metal.

Q: Who challenged the authenticity of Palladium and what were their arguments?

Chix, in a letter, claimed that Palladium was not a new metal. He presented chemical tests that contradicted its classification.

Q: How did Weston respond to the criticism and validate his discovery?

Weston, prompted by Chix's letter, wrote a scientific paper on the discovery of Palladium, providing detailed descriptions and reactions. This paper solidified the authenticity of the new metal.

Q: What was the significance of the names "Palladium" and "Platinum"?

Weston chose the name "Palladium" based on the newly discovered planet "Palace." The name "Platinum" likely stems from its association with other noble metals found in ores.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Chemist Weston discovered Palladium and began selling it, providing chemical properties and pricing in a piece of paper.

• A letter from someone named Chix questioned the authenticity of Palladium, leading Weston to publish a scientific paper on its discovery.

• Samples of Palladium and Platinum, along with a list signed by Michael Faraday, provide insight into their weights and potential theft.