What are Eka boron, Eka aluminium, and Eka silicon?

Eka boron, Eka aluminium, and Eka silicon are names given by Dmitri Mendeleev to elements he predicted in his periodic table. Later, these elements were discovered as scandium, gallium, and germanium respectively.

Mendeleev arranged elements by increasing atomic mass and noticed gaps. He predicted that elements would be discovered later and gave them temporary names using the prefix "Eka," meaning "one" in Sanskrit.

Predicted vs Discovered Elements

Significance

• Mendeleev’s predictions confirmed the accuracy of the periodic table.
• It showed that properties of elements repeat periodically.
• It increased acceptance of Mendeleev’s periodic law.