Did you know we are still discovering elements? It’s true. The Periodic Table is an always developing table and definitely changes over time as we learn more about the universe.

We are still adding new elements to the table. Just 13 years ago, we discovered Element 112 (we’ll talk about how that happens in class). Element 112, formerly called Ununbium until an official name could be bestowed, will formally be known as Copernicium.

Of course, that’s in honor of Nicolas Copernicus. Both Copernicus and Element 112 have fascinating stories surrounding them and we’ll dive into both this year as they are quite relevant for understanding the universe around us. We’ll even read parts of Copernicus’ work On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres, which helps us realize that the sun is at the center of our planetary system (not the earth).

Google Squared is a new search engine that Google is developing in order to better organize different types of information.

Doesn’t the main Google site already do that? Well, yes…but Google Squared literally organizes the information into a chart format that will be incredibly handy for us this year when we study topics such as the elements.

See for yourself:

Google Squared Results for Elements

Nifty.

Here’s a post that gives more information about the new service and some of its implications. We’ll definitely be using Google Squared throughout the year!