-
Period: 300 to
The Atomic Theory
The evolution of the Atomic Theory -
320
Aristotle- 320 BC
Aristotle believed that all matter contained fire, water, earth and air. He didn't believe that atoms were of different sizes and were geometric shapes. -
430
Democritus- 430 BC
About 430BC, Democritus made a very important observation for his lifetime. He stated that atoms are: -the building blocks for all things and that atoms are tiny, inseparable and vary only by shape and arrangement.
-he also stated that atoms cannot be destroyed and that atoms are linked to the substance. Aristotle had formed the basic atom model which had been changed over the years. -
Isaac Newton- 1704
Isaac Newton had contributed to the understanding of the atom and had developed the theory of light and also theorised:- The three laws of motion and the theory of light had implied a mechanical universe with small, solid masses in motion.
- Newton states that atoms are stuck together with attractions, also known as forces.
- He also stated that "matter is formed of solid, massy impenetrable particles".
-
John Dalton- 1803
In 1803, after many years of researching, John Dalton concluded that: • All elements are made up of tiny inseparable particles, the atom
• Atoms of the same element are the same due to the same weight
• Atoms of different elements can be differentiated through the weight as well as be classified by their weight
• Atoms are indestructible and cannot be split John Dalton had discovered a way to identify elements and atoms by using the weight of the atom.
