During the process of discovering metals and non-metals various scientists found there were particular patterns of physical and chemical properties that existed. These patterns helped organise the known elements into a periodic table. The periodic table meant that chemistry and elements were now more structured and ordered, hence new elements could be predicted. It is periodic because the properties of the elements in the table vary in periods of difference. Because of the knowledge of a few elements patterns were found which in turn meant predictions could be made on new elements and the behaviour of the known elements

Scientists involved

As technology improved (including electricity which enabled electrolysis) more elements were able to be separated and patterns therefore became more obvious. Scientists including Antoine Lavoisier, Johann Dobereiner, John Newlands, Dmitri Medeleev, Lothar Meyer, and Henry Mosley all contributed to the...