Atoms, Aristotle, and Alchemy

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts related to atoms, the philosophies of Aristotle and Plato, the foundations of chemistry, and the historical context of alchemy.

Atom

Basic unit of matter; 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), existing typically as solids, liquids, or gases.

Atomism

The idea that things are made up of much smaller indivisible particles called atoms.

Leucippus

Ancient Greek philosopher and one of the first proponents of atomic theory alongside Democritus.

Democritus

Greek scholar who believed that matter could be divided into tiny particles until it could no longer be divided; he proposed the existence of atoms.

Aristotle

Ancient Greek philosopher who rejected atomism and believed that everything is made of four elements: air, fire, water, and earth.

Plato

Philosopher who proposed a geometric theory of matter, associating shapes with the four classical elements.

Alchemy

An early form of chemistry that combined scientific knowledge with magic and superstition, aimed at transmuting metals and finding the elixir of life.

Quinta essentia

Medieval Latin term meaning 'fifth essence', believed to be a fifth element essential for all kinds of matter.

Epicurus

Philosopher who supported Democritus' atomism and suggested that belief in atoms could improve human life.

Robert Boyle

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

John Dalton

Chemist who defined atoms as fundamental units of elements and explained the conservation of mass.

Corpuscles

Tiny particles proposed by Robert Boyle, believed to make up all matter.

Pseudoscience

Beliefs or practices mistakenly regarded as being based on scientific method, often used to describe alchemy in a modern context.