The existence of atoms remained theoretical until the turn of the 20th century. Thomson discovered the electron in 1897, proving that atoms were divisible and had internal structure.
From Ancient Philosophy to Scientific Theory: The Evolution of Atomic Theory
His work transformed vague ideas into a structured model that could explain chemical reactions and the behavior of gases, laying the groundwork for all of modern chemistry. The Pre-Daltonian Philosophers Long before test tubes and quantitative analysis, the concept of indivisible particles appeared in the writings of ancient philosophers.
Later Validation and the Modern Atom While Dalton ignited the field, his specific model required corrections. Jöns Jacob Berzelius, a Swedish chemist, refined the theory by developing a system of chemical notation and identifying the law of constant composition.
From Ancient Philosophy to Scientific Theory: The Evolution of Atomic Theory
Leucippus and his student Democritus, operating in ancient Greece around the 5th century BCE, are credited with first coining the term "atomos," meaning "indivisible. Moving beyond philosophy, Dalton based his theory on meticulous observations of chemical combinations.
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