Final answer:
De Chancourtois' telluric helix is the three-dimensional model he created for arranging elements by their atomic weights. It was an early attempt to order elements systematically which led to the development of the modern periodic table, showing the periodicity of elements when arranged by atomic mass.
Step-by-step explanation:
The three-dimensional representation of the elements arranged in increasing order along a spiral is known as De Chancourtois' telluric helix. This system was a precursor to the modern periodic table, which organizes elements in a grid based on their atomic number and similar properties. Alexandre-Émile Béguyer de Chancourtois, a French geologist, developed this helical arrangement in 1862. In his system, elements with similar properties appeared at regular intervals or periods, when arranged by increasing atomic weights.
The modern periodic table is derived from ideas like De Chancourtois' but has evolved significantly. Dmitri Mendeleyev later expanded on this concept in the 19th century by creating a more practical and widely used periodic table. Mendeleyev's table is arranged by atomic mass and exhibits a clear periodicity in properties, where elements in the same group (column) have similar chemical behaviors.
Today, we refer to a standardized system for numbering groups in the periodic table from 1 to 18. This reflects a more refined understanding of the structure of atoms and their subsequent electronic configuration, as indicated by the filling of orbital shells. Hence, the periodic table serves as a crucial tool in understanding chemical properties and predicting the behaviors of elements.