Write a function that returns the requested property of atoms belonging to the requested groupnumber

I am trying to write a function periodic table that will return the requested property of atoms that belong to the requested group number.

Here is what I have so far....I am stuck as to where to go from here:

unction [ output_args ] = periodictable(p, g) %that returns the requested property of atoms belonging to the requested %groupnumber. Consider only the first 18 atoms in the periodic table (i.e., %up to and including Argon). Inside your function, store the periodic table %of elements as a structure array. Store the atomicnumber, group, period, %and symbol for each atom.

p=struct('symbol', {'H' 'He' 'Li' 'Be' 'B' 'C' 'N' 'O' 'F' 'Ne' 'Na' 'Mg' 'Al' 'Si' 'P' 'S' 'Cl' 'Ar'}, 'atomicnumber', {1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18}, 'period', {1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3} , 'group', {1 18 1 2 13 14 15 16 17 18 1 2 13 14 15 16 17 18});

Answer 1

[Image Analyst]

Pretty close, but try it like this:

function test
% Main test harness to call the function.
results = periodictable(6) % Ask for Carbon.

function [ output_args ] = periodictable(atomicNumber)
%that returns the requested property of atoms belonging to the requested 
%groupnumber. Consider only the first 18 atoms in the periodic table (i.e., 
%up to and including Argon). Inside your function, store the periodic table 
%of elements as a structure array. Store the atomicnumber, group, period,
%and symbol for each atom.

p = struct('symbol', {'H' 'He' 'Li' 'Be' 'B' 'C' 'N'...
  'O' 'F' 'Ne' 'Na' 'Mg' 'Al' 'Si' 'P' 'S' 'Cl' 'Ar'}, ...
  'atomicnumber', {1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18}, ...
  'period', {1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3}, ...
  'group', {1 18 1 2 13 14 15 16 17 18 1 2 13 14 15 16 17 18});
if atomicNumber > length(p)
  uiwait(warndlg('Enter a number less than or equal to 18'));
  output_args = [];
  return;
end
output_args.symbol = p(atomicNumber).symbol;
output_args.atomicnumber = p(atomicNumber).atomicnumber;
output_args.period = p(atomicNumber).period;
output_args.group = p(atomicNumber).group;

[KayLynn]

when i execute this code, i Get Too many input arguments as an error message......how can i fix this message??

[Image Analyst]

You shouldn't get that error message. Just paste this into a blank/new editor window and run it. It will ask you to save it. Call this test program "test.m" It will run. I know, I tried it.

[KayLynn]

I am trying to get the result periodictable('symbol',2) ans = 'Be' 'Mg'

When I run this function in the command window, I get the error message of too many inputs. What am I doing wrong

[Image Analyst]

Oh, okay, I see how you'd like to use it now. That's not what I did. I'll have to make changes. Try this:

function test
clc;
% Main test harness to call the function.
results = periodictable('symbol',2)  % Ask for helium.

function [ output_args ] = periodictable(member, groupNumber)
%that returns the requested property of atoms belonging to the requested 
%groupnumber. Consider only the first 18 atoms in the periodic table (i.e., 
%up to and including Argon). Inside your function, store the periodic table 
%of elements as a structure array. Store the atomicnumber, group, period,
%and symbol for each atom.

p = struct('symbol', {'H' 'He' 'Li' 'Be' 'B' 'C' 'N'...
  'O' 'F' 'Ne' 'Na' 'Mg' 'Al' 'Si' 'P' 'S' 'Cl' 'Ar'}, ...
  'atomicnumber', {1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18}, ...
  'period', {1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3}, ...
  'group', {1 18 1 2 13 14 15 16 17 18 1 2 13 14 15 16 17 18});
if groupNumber > 18
  uiwait(warndlg('Enter a number less than or equal to 18'));
  output_args = [];
  return;
end
elementsMatchingGroup = groupNumber == [p.group]
switch lower(member)
  case 'symbol'
    output_args = {p(elementsMatchingGroup).symbol};
  case 'atomicnumber'
    output_args = {p(elementsMatchingGroup).atomicnumber};
  case 'period'
    output_args = {p(elementsMatchingGroup).period};
  case 'group'
    output_args = {p(elementsMatchingGroup).group};
end

[Cedric]

@KayLynn: don't forget to [ Accept ] the answer that is most useful to you. You have 0% accept rate and 0 vote up, yet people spent time writing answers to your questions and comments with valuable information.