OCR A - A level chem - do we need to know history of the periodic table

In the textbook there is a whole subchapter on this however in the spec it only says it is needed as 'additional guidance', wondering if anyone knows if this info is actually needed?

Reply 1

TypicalNerd

Original post by hussainw1232

In the textbook there is a whole subchapter on this however in the spec it only says it is needed as 'additional guidance', wondering if anyone knows if this info is actually needed?

I think you should honestly be fine not having done the history of the periodic table.

The history of atomic structure and the periodic table makes for an interesting lesson that would allow several concepts relevant to A level to be introduced, but you really don’t need to know the names of any people or atomic models involved.

(edited 6 months ago)

Reply 2

Nitrotoluene

Original post by hussainw1232

In the textbook there is a whole subchapter on this however in the spec it only says it is needed as 'additional guidance', wondering if anyone knows if this info is actually needed?

Hello hussainw1232!

I partly agree with TypicalNerd's answer.
I am not familiar with the A-level chemistry programme, but intuitively I think it is not necessary to know the full history of the periodic table, but having a basic idea of its development and major milestones can be useful.
General culture always comes in handy.
Bye,
Sandro

(edited 6 months ago)

Reply 3

Pigster

Original post by hussainw1232

In the textbook there is a whole subchapter on this however in the spec it only says it is needed as 'additional guidance', wondering if anyone knows if this info is actually needed?