The Periodic Table: how atomic arrangements give rise to each element's properties?

[nibunnoichi]

A question for all the science/physics/chemistry gurus among us.

This is an issue that's been nagging me for years. I understand basic correlations such as the more neutrons & protons an atom has, the heavier the atom of that element is.

However, how does the arrangement of electronics, neutrons, and protons give rise to each elements specific set of properties such as its color, its liquid range, its solid range, its hardness, resistivity, radioactivity, etc.

Basically, it is possible to predict (via some underlying set universal laws and formulas) the exact set properties of an element given its number of electrons, protons, and neutrons?

Another way of putting this: Theoretically is there an algorithm that I use, that I can plug in (input) an atom's subatomic particles (and possibly variables that account for arrangement of those particles), and it outputs that elements exact set of properties?

For example, is there an algorithm where if I input 79 protons, 79 neutrons, 79 electronics, and some other variables, it will output an element with atomic weight 197, solid at room temp, bright yellow/orange in color, exceptional electrical conductivity, density 19300 kg m-3, etc? (Gold)


My hunch is that no such algorithm exists in the current state of our scientific knowledge, but I hope to see some good discussions on this topic.

 

[dennilfloss]

In high school back in the early 70s, we learned about this with regard to orbitals.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_orbital#Electron_placement_and_the_periodic_table

 

[ringtail]

``

 

[disappoint]

dp

 

[Brainonska511]

However, how does the arrangement of electronics, neutrons, and protons give rise to each elements specific set of properties such as its color, its liquid range, its solid range, its hardness, resistivity, radioactivity, etc.

That's a range of questions that covers everything from quantum mechanics through supramolecular properties. You're covering entire disciplines with that question and people have been working and will continue to work for years just trying to answer a small fraction of those.

Basically, it is possible to predict (via some underlying set universal laws and formulas) the exact set properties of an element given its number of electrons, protons, and neutrons?

Based on protons and electrons, you can predict reactivities. For example, you know that things in the same group will have similar chemical behavior.

Another way of putting this: Theoretically is there an algorithm that I use, that I can plug in (input) an atom's subatomic particles (and possibly variables that account for arrangement of those particles), and it outputs that elements exact set of properties?

I highly doubt it.

 

[disappoint]

For example, is there an algorithm where if I input 79 protons, 79 neutrons, 79 electronics, and some other variables, it will output an element with atomic weight 197, solid at room temp, bright yellow/orange in color, exceptional electrical conductivity, density 19300 kg m-3, etc? (Gold)


My hunch is that no such algorithm exists in the current state of our scientific knowledge, but I hope to see some good discussions on this topic.

Another way of putting this: Theoretically is there an algorithm that I use, that I can plug in (input) an atom's subatomic particles (and possibly variables that account for arrangement of those particles), and it outputs that elements exact set of properties?

Other than a look up table of all the elements already discovered, I don't think there is such an algorithm.

Also, it's electrons. Not electronics.

 

[Matthiasa]

All of it can be computed using particle physics but it is fairly ugly.

 

[SirStev0]

I am not sure I understand the question.

Why would you need such an algorithm? You just look up element and know it properties. They are arranged in such a manner that their different valences are in order. The columns and rows are all significant as well as the different groupings.

Also when would you ever be in a situation where you needed to figure out a property based on a Atomic Number.
Other than gaining an elementary knowledge of the table and the elements and how particle chemistry/physics works, there is zero practicality.

 

[Markbnj]

Why would you need such an algorithm? You just look up element and know it properties. They are arranged in such a manner that their different valences are in order.

What about elements that we don't know exist yet? Or those that we will create in the lab? It might be interesting to use an algorithm like that to predict the existence of elements with specific properties, and then go looking for them.

Practical or not, it's an interesting idea. I suspect, without any particular expertise to justify the suspicion, that we know only a small portion of what we would need to know about the properties of matter in order to formulate rules that could predict all of the properties the OP mentions.

 

[glenn1]

OP, try reading this article and see if it helps.

 

[nibunnoichi]

OP, try reading this article and see if it helps.

Thanks! That was enlightening.

I know the the scope of my question will probably not be fully answered for a very long time (if ever), but articles like this brings it a significantly closer.

If ever we do figure out the complete algorithm as I mentioned, we basically will have access to Star Trek replicator technology - we can start making materials using fundamental particles and putting them in such a way to form atoms of the known elements, as well as new elements with the exact properties we want them to have.

Of course, realizing such an algorithm is tantamount to figuring how exactly how the universe works at its most fundamental level, and that's a pretty tall order.

 

[Brainonska511]

If ever we do figure out the complete algorithm as I mentioned, we basically will have access to Star Trek replicator technology - we can start making materials using fundamental particles and putting them in such a way to form atoms of the known elements, as well as new elements with the exact properties we want them to have.

Would we? The forces inside of atoms and between them are not trivial. Fusion inside of stars only really allows up to the production of iron. Anything higher generally requires supernova.

And then splitting atoms (fission) releases a tremendous amount of energy. See nuclear power and the atom bomb.

So even if you had some hypothetical algorithm which could predict properties, you'd still need some way to manipulate things and still be bound by the forces of nature.