In high school I agree that learning it by heart is unnecessary. Studying chemistry in university though, I agree that the students there should know, at least roughly, where each element is. After all, a lot of reactivity and behavior depends on their period and which group they are in.
Ppl absolutely must learn how to read it, but they rllllllly don’t have to know what the 2nd element is (neon?), nor its atomic weight, nor its electronegativity, nor… from memory! Thats why we have pepe tables
In high school I agree that learning it by heart is unnecessary. Studying chemistry in university though, I agree that the students there should know, at least roughly, where each element is. After all, a lot of reactivity and behavior depends on their period and which group they are in.
I have a PhD in chemistry. It was never expected that we memorize anything. You just take out a periodic table when you need one.
Interesting but not surprising that it differs. In my case it was mostly due to one seminar tutor, not a professor.
Ppl absolutely must learn how to read it, but they rllllllly don’t have to know what the 2nd element is (neon?), nor its atomic weight, nor its electronegativity, nor… from memory! Thats why we have pepe tables