Povijest otkrivanja kemijskih elemenata

undergraduate thesis

• Title (english): History of the discovery of chemical elements
• Author: Vedran Vuković
• Mentor: Vladimir Stilinović (mentor)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Science; (Department of Biology); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2015, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: NATURAL SCIENCES; Biology

Abstract

Otkrivanje kemijskih elemenata jedan je od najvećih pothvata čovječanstva. Počeo je prije oko 9000 godina, kad su drevni narodi počeli upotrebljavati bakar i olovo. Prve otkrivene elemente izolirali su iz njihovih ruda jednostavnim postupcima, najčešće žarenjem s ugljenom. Alkemičari su razvili mnoge metode razdvajanja smjesa na pojedine komponente, čime su u narednim stoljećima omogućili otkrivanje i izolaciju je omogućilo izolaciju njima nepoznatih metala. Cavendish je otkrićem vodika kemičarima dao na raspolaganje reducens jači od ugljika kojim su se do tada koristili. Sedam godina nakon što je Volta napravio prvu bateriju, Davy je pomoću nje izolirao još bolje reducense – natrij i kalij. Kombinacija ovih dvaju elemenata, električne baterije, otkrića spektroskopa te Mendeljejevljev periodni zakon omogućili su otkrića mnogih elemenata. Skoro svi elementi lakši od uranija bili poznati do kraja devetnaestog stoljeća. Otkriće radijacije i nuklearnih reakcija omogućilo je proizvodnju elemenata u nuklearnim reaktorima i ciklotronima. Danas je poznato 114 elemenata, a potraga za novima se nastavlja.

Abstract (english)

The discovery of chemical elements is one of the greatest ventures of humankind. It started about nine thousand years ago when ancient peoples isolated copper and lead. The first elements were isolated from their ores, usually with simple methods like smelting them with coal. Alchemists developed many methods for separation of mixtures to their individual constituents. This enabled the detection and isolation of metals unknown to them in the centuries to come. By discovering hydrogen Cavendish has given chemists a new reducing agent stronger than carbon. Seven years after Volta invented the battery, Davy used it to isolate even better reducing agents – sodium and potassium. The combination of these two elements, the battery, the discovery of spectroscope and Mendeleev’s periodic law paved the way to many unknown elements. By the end of the nineteenth century almost all elements lighter than uranium were known. The discovery of radiation and the subsequent discovery of nuclear reactions enabled the manufacture of elements in nuclear reactors and cyclotrons. Today we know of 114 elements, and the search for new ones continues.

• Keywords: elementi; metode; povijest
• Keywords (english): elements; history; methods
• Language: croatian
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:217:080584
• Study programme: Title: Molecular Biology; Study programme type: university; Study level: undergraduate; Academic / professional title: sveučilišni/a prvostupnik/prvostupnica (baccalaureus/baccalaurea) molekularne biologije (sveučilišni/a prvostupnik/prvostupnica (baccalaureus/baccalaurea) molekularne biologije)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2018-05-04 10:22:32