Atoms, Aristotle and Alchemy

A collection of vocabulary flashcards based on the concepts of atoms, Aristotle's views, and alchemy as discussed in the lecture.

Atom

The smallest particle of a substance that can exist by itself or be combined with other atoms to form a molecule.

Matter

Anything that has mass (weight) and takes up space (volume), forming all physical objects.

Atomism

The idea that things are made up of much smaller, indivisible particles that cannot be changed or divided.

Democritus

An ancient Greek philosopher who proposed that all matter is made up of tiny, indivisible particles called atoms.

Leucippus

A Greek philosopher known for formulating the theory of atomism alongside Democritus.

Aristotle's View

Aristotle rejected atomism, believing instead that matter is made up of four elements: air, fire, water, and earth.

Alchemy

A historical practice combining chemistry, philosophy, and mystical concepts, often aimed at the transmutation of base metals into gold.

Epicurus

An ancient Greek philosopher who expanded on Democritus's atomic theory, suggesting that atoms could randomly swerve in their paths.

Plato's View

Plato proposed a geometric theory of matter, associating different elements with geometric shapes.

Quintessence

Historically referred to as the 'fifth element,' believed to be essential for all kinds of matter, later associated with dark energy in modern physics.

Robert Boyle

An Irish chemist known for Boyle's Law, which describes the relationship between gas volume and pressure.

Pierre Gassendi

A 17th-century philosopher who revived atomism by rejecting the idea of matter being infinitely divisible.

Pseudoscience

A collection of beliefs or practices mistakenly regarded as being based on scientific method.

Subatomic particles

Particles smaller than atoms, such as electrons and protons, showing that atoms are divisible in a quantum sense.