Answer:
The law that "the physical and chemical properties of elements are periodic functions of their atomic weights" was given by Dmitri Mendeleev.
Mendeleev, a Russian chemist, is widely recognized for his development of the periodic table of elements. In 1869, he published his famous work, "Principles of Chemistry," where he presented the periodic table in its initial form. Mendeleev organized the elements based on their atomic weights and observed that when arranged in this manner, certain patterns emerged. He noticed that elements with similar properties appeared at regular intervals, suggesting a periodicity in their properties.
Mendeleev's periodic table not only arranged the known elements at the time but also left gaps for undiscovered elements. He predicted the existence and properties of several elements that were later discovered and found to fit perfectly into his table. This demonstrated the predictive power of his periodic law.
The periodic law proposed by Mendeleev laid the foundation for our modern understanding of the organization and behavior of chemical elements. It states that the physical and chemical properties of elements are periodic functions of their atomic numbers (not atomic weights, as stated in the question). The atomic number represents the number of protons in an atom's nucleus, which determines its chemical identity.
By arranging elements in order of increasing atomic number, rather than atomic weight, as initially proposed by Mendeleev, we can observe recurring patterns in their properties. Elements within the same group or column tend to exhibit similar chemical behavior due to their shared electron configurations. Additionally, as we move across a period or row from left to right, there is a gradual change in properties due to increasing nuclear charge and electron shielding effects.
In summary, it was Dmitri Mendeleev who formulated the law that "the physical and chemical properties of elements are periodic functions of their atomic weights." His groundbreaking work on the periodic table revolutionized the field of chemistry and provided a framework for understanding the behavior of elements.
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