The History of the Atom

The History

Diya Iqlas

of the Atom

s Period 5

General Information

The atom is the most fundamental piece
matter, consisting of protons, neutrons,
electrons, which are also known as suba
particles.

It is the smallest unit matter, and they m
all of the materials on earth. Atoms form
bonds to make molecules, which is wha
matter is made of, in the forms of solid,
or gas.

e of
, and
atomic

make up
m
at all
, liquid,

Democritus - 442 BC

Democritus is a Greek Philosopher
who developed the concept of an
atom. He believed that the universe
was completely made of a small
particulate substance called atoms.

Known as the laughing professor; he was cheerful whil

Analogy: Democritus’ model theory is
like crayons, they can come in different
shapes and sizes but they are all made
up of the same material

le he worked

Aristotle - 450 BC

Aristotle, a extremely well known Greek
philosopher, one of the greatest thinker
all time, had many contributions. In rela
to atoms, he did not believe in the atom
theory, but that everything in the Earth
made up of four elements; Fire, Water, A
and Earth.

Aristotle was raised by his sister

k Analogy: Aristotle’s theory is like a
rs of tombstone, because after his
ation proposition chemistry came to a
mic fatal halt
was
Air,

John dalton - 1803 AD

Dalton’s stance on atomic theory was
that matter was composed of different
atoms, which are indivisible and
indestructible. He believed that
elements contain atoms which varied in
size, but were still identical.

John Dalton died of a stroke

D

Analogy: Dalton’s model theory is

n like gumballs, where they vary in

color, but are still the same.

J.J. thompson - 1987 A

J.J. Thomson is known for the discovery
the particle with a negative charge, calle
atom. Based on this thought process, he
believed that the atom is a positive sphe
and electrons would be placed strategic
around it based on attraction, named Th
Plum Pudding model.

Awarded Nobel Peace Prize

AD

of Analogy: Thompson’s theory is
ed an like cookies, with the chocolate
e chips as the negative charged
ere electrons.
cally
he

Ernest Rutherford - 19

Physicist Rutherford, found out that
atoms were not positively charged when
he conducted an experiment by shootin
particles at gold foil. He found out that
the center of the atoms have a nucleus,
which is positively charged

Rutherford was one of 12 children in his family

908 AD

n
ng
, Analogy: Rutherford’s theory is

like a peach, with the pit as the
nucleus

Niels bohr - 1913 AD

A scientist who specialized in electron
configuration believed that electrons re
around the nucleus of an atom, consisti
energy orbit levels. Each level is a certai
distance away from the other in relation
the nucleus.

Neils Bohr and Albert Einstein were very good friends

evolve Analogy: The solar system is
ing of similar to how energy levels orbit
in around the nucleus
n to

s

Erwin schrÖdinger - 1

Schrodinger developed the electron clou
model consisting of a nucleus which is a
center of the atom surrounded by a clou
electrons. He used mathematical equati
to find out where an electron is exactly
placed in an atom.

Referred to as the father of quantum physics

1926 AD

ud
at the
ud of
ions

Analogy: Erwin’s model is like
cotton candy in its shape and
way of centering

Albert Einstein - 1905

Albert Einstein proposed the theory of
relativity, as well as the photon theory o
light, through which he proposed the
theory of gravitation. He was also
awarded for further developing the
atomic theory

Albert Einstein was most known for E=MC^2

5

of

Analogy: Einstein, along with
Schrodinger, proposed their theory
which its way of centering

Werner heisenberg - 1

Heisenberg was awarded for the discov
of quantum physics, which led to his ne
foundment of all tropic forms of hydrog
He was the main contributor for the
German atomic theory, as well as assist
in nuclear power discoveration.

Werner Heisenberg was also very good friends with N

1932

very Analogy: Heisenberg’s model
ew was very similar to a ferrero
gen. rocher

ting

Niels Bohr.

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