Classifying chemical elements and particles: from the atomic to the sub-atomic world

Abstract

This paper presents two facets. First, we show that the periodic table of chemical elements can be described, understood and modified (as far as its format is concerned) on the basis of group theory and more specifically by using the group SO(4,2)xSU(2). Second, we show that "periodic tables" also exist in the sub-atomic and sub-nuclear worlds and that group theory is of paramount importance for these tables. In that sense, this paper may be considered as an excursion, for non specialists, into nuclear and particle physics.