Question

Did Dobereiner’s triads also exist in the columns of Newlands’ Octaves? Compare and find out.

Answer 1

Yes, Dobereiner's triads also exist in the columns of Newlands' octaves.

Only one triad of Dobereiner’s triads exists in the columns of Newlands’ octaves. The triad formed by the elements Li, Na, and K of Dobereiner’s triads also occurred in the columns of Newlands’ octaves.

Dobereiner’s triads

Li	Ca	Cl
Na	Sr	Br
K	Ba	I

Newlands’ octaves

H	Li	Be	B	C	N	O
F	Na	Mg	Al	Si	P	S
Cl	K	Ca	Cr	Ti	Mn	Fe
Co and Ni	Cu	Zn	Y	In	As	Se
Br	Rb	Sr	Ce and La	Zr	−	−

According to Newland’s law of octaves, every eighth element had properties similar to that of the first.

For example: the elements lithium (Li), sodium (Na) and potassium (K) are present in the second column of Newlands' classification of elements. If we consider lithium as the first element, the 8th element from it will be sodium.

Again, considering sodium as the 1st element, the 8th element from it is potassium.

This means that according to the Newland’s law of octaves, lithium, sodium and potassium should have similar properties. We also know that lithium, sodium and potassium form a Dobereiner's triad having similar chemical properties. This shows that Dobereiner's triads also exist in the columns of Newlands' octaves.