Atomic theory

The atomic theory is a theory of the nature of matter. It states that all matter is composed of atoms. The philosophical background of the atomic theory is called atomism. This definition is valid for the matter commonly surrounding us. Strictly speaking it is not valid in plasmas or other particular environments characterized for instance by very large pressure (e.g. neutron stars).

History

The existence of atoms was proposed in the East by 2nd century BCE Indian philosopher Kanada and in the West by 5th century BCE Greek philosophers such as Democritus, Leucippus, and the Epicureans. Without any way to test the hypothesis, the concept disappeared until it was revived by Rudjer Boscovich in the 18th century, and after that applied to chemistry by John Dalton. Boscovich based his theory on classical mechanics and published it in 1758. The theory was further developed by Amedeo Avogadro and developers of the kinetic theory of gases such as James Clerk Maxwell and Ludwig Boltzmann.

Related Topics:
2nd century BCE - Indian - Kanada - 5th century BCE - Greek - Democritus - Leucippus - Epicureans - Hypothesis - Rudjer Boscovich - 18th century - John Dalton - Classical mechanics - 1758 - Amedeo Avogadro - Kinetic theory of gases - James Clerk Maxwell - Ludwig Boltzmann

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In the late 19th century, a movement led by Ernst Mach, Wilhelm Ostwald, and Karl Pearson rejected the atomic theory on epistemological grounds. The dispute was not finally settled until Jean Perrin's experimental investigation of Einstein's mathematical theory of Brownian motion in the early 20th century.

Related Topics:
19th century - Ernst Mach - Wilhelm Ostwald - Karl Pearson - Epistemological - Jean Perrin - Einstein - Brownian motion - 20th century

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