Question

What were the names used to denote the existance of undiscovered elements such as gallium and germanium respectively?

• A. Eka-aluminium and Eka-silicon
• B. Eka-boron and Eka-aluminium
• C. Eka-silicon and Eka-aluminium
• D. Eka-aluminium and Eka-boron

Answer 1

The correct option is A Eka-aluminium and Eka-silicon

Mendeleev predicted the existence of some elements that had not been discovered at that time and left some gaps in his periodic table. He named them by prefixing a Sanskrit numeral, Eka (one) to the name of preceding element in the same group.

The gap that he has left for the undiscovered element that comes after aluminium is given the name Eka-aluminium. Gallium which was discovered later exhibits similar properties as that of Eka-aluminium and placed in the same groups as that of aluminium. Similarly, the gap that he has left for the undiscovered element that comes next to silicon is given the name Eka-silicon. Germanium which was discovered later matches with Eka-aluminium in properties.