D. I. MENDELEYEV

D.I. Mendeleyev, the great Russian chemists, was born in Siberia in February 8, 1834. When he was seven years old he went to gymnasium at Tobolsk. He studied very hard; he especially liked mathematics, physics and history. At the age of 16 he entered the Pedagogical institute in St. Petersburg, physic-mathematical department. He graduated from the institute in 1855 and began to teach chemistry at the Technological Institute and then at the University. In 1865 he was granted the doctor of Science degree for thesis on the combination of alcohol with water. This work was both of great theoretical and practical significance. Soon after that Mendeleev was appointed Professor of General Chemistry of St. Petersburg University. Despite lectures and supervision of the laboratory he carried on great research work.

Mendeleev’s greatest discovery was the Periodic Law. The Periodic Law suggested by Mendeleev stated that the properties of the elements were periodic functions of their atomic masses. He presented this work to the Russian Chemical Society. Mendeleev’s Periodic Law opened a new era in the history of chemistry.

Mendeleev was interested in many branches of science, indeed there is hardly any field of science that was not enriched by his contribution. His numerous works dealt with many subjects; properties of liquids, theories of solutions, the development of the gas law and many others.

D.I. Mendeleev was a great patriot. He did everything for the development and progress of his country. He continued his research work to the very last day of his life. He died in 1907.

The world is thankful to Mendeleev for his great contribution to the world science. At present there is hardly anybody who doesn’t know this Russian scientist and his Periodic Law.