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of Alexander Arrangement of Elements DeskTopper

The DeskTopper is the quick and easy form of the AAE, especially useful in a full classroom, hands-on lesson just prior to the lesson in your curriculum that normally introduces the periodic table.

Working with parts of the printed sheet, the students learn of the blocks and the connections by holding them in their hands and doing the connections whild building a periodic table of their very own. At the same time, as they see the flat table build into the three dimensions envisaged by the developer of the first periodic table, de Chancourtois, and realize that the flat table is a far more convenient form for all the variety of periodic tables they will be working with in the future, finding that the table isn't as ugly and intimidating as they may have supposed.

This improved periodic table eliminates the confusion and inconsistencies of the flat table by arranging the elements in order, with successive elements touching, while keeping the accepted groups and families. the 3-D form has three parts looping outwards from a middle area.

The Alexander Arrangement (AAE) is one of several spiral based developments of the periodic table. A tabular periodic table spiral in 3D becomes a helix, with a printed 2D surface curving into another dimension for new connections. This provides a perfect plane for all the graphic, textual, and symbolic data that could be found on any table, while 2D spiral illustrations have difficulty with the inclusion of much information in the element shapes, or clear relationships between related elements.

There has been a considerable amount of contention between periodic table afficianados, with the position of the Rare Earths (f-block), being argued. Either the "Y over La" format or that of the "Y over Lu"supporters can be readily constructed in 3D with the DeskTopper. A comparison of both are illustrated - with detailed instructions - at http://allperiodictables.com/AAEdesktopperversions/. This URL also shows a pattern for a base for the DeskTopper, which permits its use as a small pencil caddy.

The elements in Groups 0, Ia, IIa, IIIb, IVb, Vb, and VIIIb are in the central column (first photo, foreground), topped by a stretched hydrogen data box. Lower on this part branches a longer loop showing groups IIIa, IVa, Va, VIa, VIIa, VIII, Ib, and IIb (next two photos).
From the lower half of this, the longest loop is the f-block, displaying the Rare earths (bottom photo).

The Periodic Law can be followed only in a 3-D form as the element sequence without gaps is only possible using a downward helix - including the Hydrogen 'crown', which is unique in the AAE by illustrating the superior position given to Hydrogen while suggesting its recently upgraded (and contentious) importance.

Also permitted by 3-D is the the unprecedented logic of integration of the Rare earth and Transition elements (below left photo, left segment), which is detached on standard charts.

The motivation gained by the unique & attractive shape and strict adherence to the Periodic Law is a great aid in atttracting the new student to the extraordinary importance of the periodic table.

A handy method for students to carry their DeskTopper with them minus the bulk, is to flatten it. See the results at http://allperiodictables.com/DTflat/.
Flat can work after all!

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Description of the classroom display version of the Alexander Arrangement

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