Three-dimensional periodic table

Abstract

The invention includes a three dimensional periodic table of the chemical elements and a method of learning about the periodic nature of the elements. Included are several cardboard or paper sheets, each having a plurality of blocks that display information about particular elements. The blocks are arranged in groupings of elements with similar properties, such as the transition Earth metals. Students follow a set of instructions provided with the sheets to cut out the groups, fold along particular lines, and affix tabs together to assemble several three dimensional forms. The students then place the forms on a planar map that indicates where to place each form and indicates how to follow the periods of elements between the forms.

1 . A periodic representation of the chemical elements, comprising: 
 a plurality of three-dimensional forms;    a plurality of element representations displayed on each of said forms;    wherein each of said element representations displays information about a particular element; and    wherein said three dimensional forms are displayed in proximity to each other on a substantially planar map such that all of said forms may be viewed together.    
   
   
       2 . The periodic representation of the chemical elements of  claim 1 , wherein said map indicates a particular arrangement for said three-dimensional forms.  
   
   
       3 . The periodic representation of the chemical elements of  claim 2 , wherein said element representations are configured such that the periodic nature of the elements is apparent due to the arrangement of said three-dimensional forms indicated by said map.  
   
   
       4 . The periodic representation of the chemical elements of  claim 1 , wherein the information displayed by said element representations is selected from the group consisting of atomic symbol, atomic number, atomic mass, the name of the element, the natural state of the element at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, and the number of valence electrons.  
   
   
       5 . The periodic representation of the chemical elements of  claim 4 , wherein each of said element representations located on a particular three-dimensional form includes information about elements in a particular category.  
   
   
       6 . A periodic representation of the chemical elements, comprising; 
 a plurality of sheets;    a plurality of element representations printed on each of said sheets in one or more groupings; and    a plurality of tabs in communication with each of the groupings.    
   
   
       7 . The periodic representation of the chemical elements of  claim 6 , wherein each grouping of said element representations is cut out of said sheets along an outer boundary, which also encompasses said tabs.  
   
   
       8 . The periodic representation of the chemical elements of  claim 7 , wherein each of the groupings is folded into a three-dimensional form by folding between certain element representations and affixing each of said tabs to certain other tabs.  
   
   
       9 . The periodic representation of the chemical elements of  claim 6 , wherein each of said element representations comprises information about a particular element, said information being selected from the group consisting of atomic symbol, atomic number, atomic mass, the name of the element, the natural state of the element at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, and the number of valence electrons.  
   
   
       10 . The periodic representation of the chemical elements of  claim 9 , wherein each of the groupings of element representations includes information about elements having similar properties.  
   
   
       11 . The periodic representation of the chemical elements of  claim 9 , wherein a first grouping comprises element representations of elements in the Alkali metals and the Alkaline earth metals groups, a second grouping comprises element representations of elements in the transition metals groups, a third grouping comprises element representations of elements in the metalloids, halogens, and Noble gases groups, and a fourth grouping comprises element representations of elements in the Lanthanides and the Actinides groups.  
   
   
       12 . The periodic representation of the chemical elements of  claim 9 , wherein said element representations are arranged on each of the groupings such that said element representations form a plurality of periodic rows when the groupings are viewed together.  
   
   
       13 . A kit for assembling a three-dimensional periodic representation of the chemical elements, comprising: 
 a plurality of sheets;    a plurality of element representations printed on each of said sheets in one or more groupings;    a plurality of tabs in communication with each of the groupings; and    a set of instructions for cutting out the groupings from said sheets and assembling the groupings into a plurality of three-dimensional forms.    
   
   
       14 . The kit of  claim 13 , further comprising a map sheet having graphics that indicate the placement of the three-dimensional forms.  
   
   
       15 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein said element representations are arranged in each of said groupings such that said element representations form periods when the three-dimensional forms are viewed together in a particular order.  
   
   
       16 . The kit of  claim 15 , wherein said map sheet includes pathways that aide in the viewing of the periods formed by the arrangement of said element representations.  
   
   
       17 . The kit of  claim 13 , wherein said set of instructions includes a plurality of diagrams that depict the three-dimensional forms in various stages of assembly.  
   
   
       18 . The kit of  claim 13 , wherein said set of instructions comprises a plurality of questions about the elements.  
   
   
       19 . A method of teaching a student about the chemical elements, comprising the steps of: 
 a) obtaining a plurality of sheets, each of said sheets having a plurality of element representations printed thereon in one or more groupings and a plurality of tabs in communication with each of the groupings; and    b) providing a set of instructions for creating a plurality of three-dimensional forms from said sheets.    
   
   
       20 . The method of teaching a student about the chemical elements of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of cutting out the groupings from said sheets according to said instructions.  
   
   
       21 . The method of teaching a student about the chemical elements of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of assembling the groupings into the three-dimensional forms.  
   
   
       22 . The method of teaching a student about the chemical elements of  claim 21 , further comprising the step of observing the element representations of common and uncommon elements as well as the groupings of element representations, which display information about elements having similar properties.