periodic law

[ peer-ee-od-ik, peer- ]
/ ˈpɪər iˈɒd ɪk, ˌpɪər- /

noun Chemistry.

the law that the properties of the elements are periodic functions of their atomic numbers.
Also called Mendeleev's law. (originally) the statement that the chemical and physical properties of the elements recur periodically when the elements are arranged in the order of their atomic weights.

Origin of periodic law

First recorded in 1870–75

Words nearby periodic law

periodic acid-schiff, periodic attractor, periodic decimal, periodic disease, periodic function, periodic law, periodic motion, periodic neutropenia, periodic paralysis, periodic sentence, periodic system

British Dictionary definitions for periodic law

periodic law
/ (ˌpɪərɪˈɒdɪk) /

noun

Also called: Mendeleev's law the principle that the chemical properties of the elements are periodic functions of their atomic weights or, more accurately, of their atomic numbers

Medical definitions for periodic law

periodic law

n.

The principle that properties of elements recur periodically as atomic numbers increase.