General Science 11: Chemists, Their Contributions, and Impacts

A set of 10 study flashcards reviewing key historical chemists, their foundational discoveries, and the applications of chemistry in science and society.

Which ancient thinkers proposed early theories of matter, including the concept of atoms?

Empedocles, Democritus, and the Indian philosopher Kanada.

What approach did Paracelsus advance during the Renaissance to treat diseases?

"iatrochemistry"

Which 1661 work by Robert Boyle emphasized experimentation over philosophy, marking a shift toward modern science?

The Sceptical Chymist

What major contributions did Antoine-Laurent de Lavoisier make to foundational chemistry?

He disproved the phlogiston theory, named oxygen and hydrogen, and established the Law of Conservation of Mass and chemical nomenclature.

Which two radioactive elements did Marie Curie and Pierre Curie discover?

Polonium and radium

What did Louis Pasteur discover regarding molecular asymmetry, and what field did it help establish?

He discovered that some molecules can exist in mirror-image forms, helping establish the study of molecular chirality in chemistry.

What is pasteurization, and what is its practical importance?

It is a heating process developed by Louis Pasteur that reduces harmful microorganisms in liquids such as milk, preventing spoilage and reducing the risk of foodborne illness.

For which three diseases did Louis Pasteur help develop vaccines?

Rabies, anthrax, and chicken cholera.

What structure did James Watson and Francis Crick propose in 1953 based in part on experimental data?

The double-helix structure of DNA

How does quantum chemistry explain interactions in physical science according to the lecture?

It explains why atoms bond and how light interacts with matter, enabling technologies such as lasers, LEDs, and glow-in-the-dark materials.