Lesson 1.

2
Atom from the Eyes of
Philosophers
And Scientists
Main Idea:

The collective philosophical ideas

and scientific findings led to
understanding the structure of
atoms that compose matter.
Essential Question:

What do atoms and subatomic

particles look like?
Greek Theory of Matter
Proponent: Empedocles

There were only four elements – fire,

air, water, and earth – that make up
matter.
The properties of materials are
imparted by the different properties
of materials are imparted by the
different proportions of the 4
elements that comprise them.
Aristotle added a fifth element called
aether or ether.
Alchemists’ Atomic View
(300 BC until the end of 17th Century)

Intertwined chemical questions with

mythical and spiritual concepts to transmute
base metals into gold, discover a universal
cure for diseases, and discover a means of
prolonging life.
Alchemist’s View
(300 BC until the end of 17th Century)

Intertwined chemical questions with

mythical and spiritual concepts to
transmute base metals into gold,
discover a universal cure for diseases,
and discover a means of prolonging
life.
Contributions of the Alchemists’ Atomic
View

1. Systematic logical approaches

2. Knowledge of medicinal chemistry
3. Development of industrial chemistry
Practical and Simple Small-scale
Processes

1. Soap-making
2. Glass manufacturing
3. Charcoal production
4. Pigment and dye manufacturing
The Particle Theory
(As early as 400 BC)

Some philosophers, including Democritus,

supported this idea.
The Particle Theory

All matter are composed of very small

particles called atoms.
Atoms – came from the Greek term
atomos, which means “indivisible” or
“uncuttable.”
Aristotle asserted that all matter was
continuous, an idea that was accepted for
almost 2000 years.
Robert Boyle

He published a book entitled “The

Sceptical Chymist” during the year 1661
which ended the practice of alchemy.
Dalton’s Atomic Theory
Proponent: John Dalton (1808)

1. Elements are made up of small

indivisible particles called atoms.
Dalton’s Atomic Theory

2. In any given pure element, the mass and

other properties of all the atoms are the
same. Atoms of different elements differ in
mass and other properties.
Dalton’s Atomic Theory

3. Compounds are composed of atoms of

more than one element. The constituent
atoms in a given compound are present in
a consistent or constant whole number
ratio.
Dalton’s Atomic Theory
The 3rd Postulate supported the following
that was proposed by Joseph Proust:

1. Law of Definite Proportions

Proponent: Joseph Proust

When forming a compound, elements

always combine in similar proportions by
mass regardless of the size sample.
Dalton’s Atomic Theory

2. Law of Multiple Proportions

If 2 or more different compounds are

composed of the same two elements, then
the ration of the masses of the second
element combined with a certain mass of
the first element is always a ratio of small
whole numbers.
Dalton’s Atomic Theory

4. In a chemical reaction, atoms are neither

created nor destroyed. They simply
combine, separate, or rearrange.

This principle is known as the Law of

conservation of mass.
Structure of an Atom

An atom is the tiniest particle of an element

that retains the chemical properties of that
element.
Structure of an Atom

Nucleons – the collective name for protons

and neutrons
Structure of an Atom
3 types of rays are produced by the
radioactive decay of material

1. alpha – positively charged particles;

deflected by as positively charged plate
2. beta – negatively charged particles;
deflected by a negatively charged plate
3. gamma – no charge; not affected by an
external electric or magnetic field
Atomic Models

Presented that electrons have a negative

charge
Atomic Models

11

He used a gold foil in measuring the

scattering of alpha particles.

He concluded that most of the atom is

empty
Atomic Models

Rutherford’s Conclusion:
Subatomic Particles

1. Protons
Magnitude: 1.6022 X 10-19 coulombs
Weight: 1.67262 X 10-24 grams
Subatomic Particles

2. Neutron
Discovered by James Chadwick during the
year 1932 by conducting an experiment
Chadwick’s Experiment
Subatomic Particles
3. Electron
Robert Millikan conducted experiments
to study electrons
Magnitude: -1.6022 X 10-19 coulombs
Mass: 9.10 X 10-28 grams

- 1840 times lighter than a proton

- Considered as elementary particles
Self-check

What are the characteristics of the three

subatomic particles?