History of Atoms

Atoms and Elements

Atom- Smallest identifiable unit of an element and have no net electric charge. They are electrically Neutral

People of the Atom--Atomic Theory

  • Democritus: Created the idea of the atom, and that they were indestructible
    • Was undermined because of Aristotle, which was the idea of matter being combination of fire, air, water, and earth
    • His ideas never explained the chemical behaviors
  • John Dalton
    • Each element is composed of tiny, indestructible particles called ==Atoms==
    • All Atoms of a given element have the same mass and other particles that distinguish them from other elements and atoms
    • Isotopes
    • Atoms combine in simple. whole number ratios to form compounds
    • Atoms Cannot be subdivided (only by nuclear means)
    • In chemical reactions Atoms are combined, separated or rearranged

Laws

  • Law of Definite Proportions: A chemical compound contains the same proportion by mass, regardless of the size of the sample
  • Law of Multiple Proportions: When 1 Element combines with another to form more than 1 compound, the mass ratio of elements in the compounds are simple whole numbers of eachother