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460
Democritus
One of the first scientists known to study the Atom, Democritus is considered the father of the atom. He theorized that all atoms are made of small, indivisible, indestructible particles. Democritus also held that there are an infinite number of atoms, as well as different types of atoms that vary in shape and size. -
460
Democritus
Democritus did not run any experiments, because they did not have the technology as we do now to be able to look at material at an atomic level. He also did not run his scientific observations along the guidelines of the scientific method. His contributions are important because they set the basis for our current understanding of the elements. -
Period: 460 to
Atomic Theory
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John Dalton
Dalton states that atoms can physically blend together or chemically bind together to form compounds, which are in whole- number ratios. These reactions occur when atoms are divided, combined, or rearranged. However, atoms of one element do not change into atoms of another -
John Dalton
John Dalton composed an atomic theory made up of four postulates.
Just like Democritus, John Dalton's atomic theory states that elements are composed of indivisible particles called atoms. His theory differs, however, because his theory goes into atoms of different types of elements. For example, all carbon atoms are the same, but a carbon atom and a lithium atom are different (postulate 2 - all atoms of the same element are identical).