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The Creation of the Modern Atomic Theory Essay

Decent Essays

Problem
How did the different scientists contribute to the creation of the modern atomic theory? Why would they be accepted?
Hypothesis
If the scientists improved each other’s theories, then these improved theories helped to create the modern atomic theory.
Objectives
General:
-Analyze how the different theories helped to the creation of the modern atomic theories.
Specific:
-Compare the different theories and beliefs stated by the scientists.
-Determine how the different theories overlap.

Introduction

All matter is made of atoms. Water, food, clothes, furniture, and everything surrounding us, including ourselves, human beings, are made of atoms too. An atom is the smallest particle contained by matter that still retains its physical …show more content…

(Democritus and Leucippus, 2014) Democritus believed that there is an infinite number of atoms who differ in size, shape, mass, position, temperature, arrangement, among others. The early atomic theory stated that the characteristics of an object are determined by the shape of his atoms. For example, Democritus said that solids are made of small, pointy atoms, while liquids are made of large round atoms. (Atomic Theory, 2014.)

Democritus’ atomic model was simply a round sphere, with no neutrons, protons, electrons, or any other particle inside it. Since Democritus performed no experiments, he could not prove or demonstrate whether his theory was correct or not. (Atomic Theory, 2014) As a result, he was often criticized by Aristotle. (Coffey, J. 2010.)
“Nothing can come from nothing, everything is already in the world and it is merely a matter of combination, and re-combination of eternal bits of immutable stuff called atoms” - Democritus (The European Graduate School, 2014.)

ll. Dalton

John Dalton was a colorblind, English schoolteacher who revived the atomic theory, and continued Democritus’ work. He based his theory in the idea that only like atoms in a mixture of gases repel one another. Although this idea was later demonstrated to be wrong, it was used to abolish and dismiss Democritus’ belief that atoms of all kinds of matter are alike. (Ross, S. 2012.) In 1808, Dalton proposed an explanation that included the law of conservation of

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