Five ideas in chemical education that must die: Group 3

By Eric Scerri2015-09-15T14:44:00

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Eric Scerri explores the composition of group 3 in the periodic table, and why it should be updated

The fifth idea in our series is the view that group 3 of the periodic table consists of Sc, Y, La and Ac. There is now enough evidence to show this is incorrect. In 1982, an article in the Journal of Chemical Education argued group 3 should instead consist of Sc, Y, Lu and Lr. Some textbook authors have taken this up, but the majority seem reluctant.

Inspired by the book This Idea Must Die Eric Scerri explores outdated chemical concepts, in this final installment he discusses periodic table groupings.

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