The limitations of Mendeleev periodic table are 1 He could not explain proper place of hydrogen2 He could not describe the place of isotopes3. Elements with higher atomic masses were placed before element.with lower atomic masses4. The gaps which he had leave is not applicable for all element as it is less than the number of element described today in modern periodic table
Limitations of Mandeleev’s periodic table :\xa0(A) Position of hydrogen : Position of hydrogen in the periodic table is uncertain. It has been placed in 1A group with alkali metals, but certain properties of hydrogen resemble those of halogens. So, it may be placed in the group for halogens as well.(B) Position of isotopes : Isotopes are the atoms of the same element having different atomic masses. Therefore, according to Mendeleev’s classification these should be placed at different places depending upon their atomic masses.For example, hydrogen isotopes with atomic masses 1,2 and 3 should be placed at three places. However, isotopes have not been given separate places in the periodic table because of their similar properties.(C) Anomalous pairs of elements : In certain pair of elements, the increasing order of atomic masses was not obeyed. In these, Mendeleev placed elements according to similarities in their properties and not in increasing order of their atomic masses.For example : – The atomic mass of argon is 39.9 and that of potassium 39.1 But argon is placed before potassium in the periodic table. – Tellurium (at. mass = 127.6 ) is placed before iodine (at. mass = 126.9)(D) Some similar elements are separated: In the periodic table. For example copper (Cu) and mercury (Hg), barium (Ba) and lead (Pb). On the other hand some dissimilar elements have been placed together in the same group.(E) Cause of periodicity : Mendeleev could not explain the cause of periodicity among the elements.