Element Discovery Frequency Statistics

In the following blog post, we explore the fascinating journey of element discovery throughout history, from ancient civilizations identifying basic elements like gold and silver to modern-day scientific advancements leading to the synthesis of new elements in laboratories. Join us as we delve into the timeline of element discovery, notable milestones, and the evolving understanding of the building blocks of the universe.

Statistic 1

"The discovery of some elements can be traced back to 3000-2000 BC, such as gold, silver, copper and tin -"

Statistic 2

"In the 20th century, the number of discovered elements has risen to over 100 -"

Statistic 3

"There are four new elements added in the Periodic Table in 2016 - nihonium (Nh – element 113), moscovium (Mc – element 115), tennessine (Ts – element 117), and oganesson (Og – element 118) -"

Statistic 4

"Silicon, discovered in 1824, is the most abundant element on Earth after oxygen -"

Statistic 5

"The element with the highest atomic number to be discovered and named to date is tennessine (Ts – element 117) discovered in 2010 -"

Statistic 6

"The first 94 elements have known terrestrial occurrence, while elements 95 to 118 have only been synthesized in laboratories or nuclear reactors -"

Statistic 7

"Only a few elements have been discovered since 1975, such as Meitnerium (1982), Hassium (1984), Darmstadtium (1994), Roentgenium (1994) and Copernicium (1996) -"

Statistic 8

"Hydrogen was discovered and named by Henry Cavendish in 1766 -"

Statistic 9

"Germanium was discovered in 1886 by Clemens Winkler. It was one of the few elements predicted by Mendeleev's periodic table that had not been discovered at the time -"

Statistic 10

"Tennessine (Ts – element 117) is the second-heaviest element known and was synthesized in 2010 by a Russian-American collaboration -"

Statistic 11

"Group 1 elements on the periodic table were all discovered before the 20th century -"

Statistic 12

"Most of the rare-earth elements were discovered in the short span of time from 1794-1907 -"

Statistic 13

"The discovery of synthetic elements beyond the known naturally occurring ones started with curium and americium in 1940s -"

Statistic 14

"Noble gases were the last group of elements discovered, with radon discovered in 1900 -"

Statistic 15

"Less than 75% of elements were discovered before the end of the 19th century -"

Statistic 16

"As of 2020, all elements from 1 to 118 have been discovered, verified, and named by the IUPAC -"

The journey of element discovery spans millennia, from ancient times when gold, silver, copper, and tin were known to the modern era where over 100 elements have been identified. Recent advancements in science led to the addition of four new elements to the Periodic Table in 2016, showcasing the ongoing exploration of the chemical world. The balance between natural occurrence and laboratory synthesis highlights the evolving nature of our understanding of elements. From the historic discoveries of hydrogen and germanium to the more recent synthesis of tennessine, the timeline of element discovery is a testament to human curiosity and ingenuity. As we continue to unveil the mysteries of the elements, each new find adds to the rich tapestry of our scientific knowledge.