Though it cannot be clearly explained how scholars of classical antiquity theorised that atoms existed, the concept influenced many. His methods and conceptions are very similar to those of modern physicists. However, this seems much different from the modern atomic theory, which states that atoms interact electromagnetically. The model worked with physical links, such as balls and sockets and hooks and eyes, to show in detail how connections happened between them.

Democritus Atomic ModelĮssentially, the model was one of an inert solid that excluded other bodies from its volume, and whose interaction with other atoms was mechanical. He used analogies drawn from experiences and provided a picture describing an atom and how it differed from other atoms in its size, shape, and arrangement of its different parts. The idea that he documented regarding atoms had a huge influence on later philosophers. Nevertheless, Democritus is the one who elaborated and illustrated the concept and made people aware of it, thus popularising it. For example, the atoms forming iron are hard, atoms in water are slippery and smooth, atoms of fire are sharp and light, and the gaseous atoms are whirling and light. They also believed that a material’s solidity depends on the shape of the atoms forming it. It is believed that his two mentors, Epicurus and Leucippus, were the ones who earlier had proposed their views regarding the connectivity and shapes of atoms.

The number of atoms and their type is infinite, and these differ in size and shapeĭemocritus alone did not propose an atomic theory.

Atoms are in perpetual motion and will remain to be so.

There is empty space that exists between atoms.

Everything is made up of atoms, and these atoms are physically indivisible.

This theory lays down that the entire universe and all existing matter exist by the principles listed below. Explanation of Democritus’ Theoryĭemocritus’ most important contribution to modern science is considered to be his atomic theory. This theory was rejected outright by Aristotle, a very influential philosopher in ancient Greece. So changes in matter happened due to the combination or disassociation of the atoms. During this, they banned and collided with each other, rebounding or joining.

He named such pieces, which could not be divided further, as “Atomos”, which in Greek meant indivisible.Īccording to the Democritus atomic theory, atoms of different sizes and shapes were in continuous motion within a void. He continued that if the stone was to be further broken into smaller pieces and if the process continues, a time will come when the possibility of dividing it further will end. He found out that if a stone was broken into two halves, both parts would still possess similar properties as the whole would have. Democritus Atomic Theoryĭemocritus was credited with being one of the first atomic theorists of his time. Democritus was known to the great philosopher Aristotle. The great philosopher Plato openly desired that all work of Democritus be burnt to ashes. This leads to the speculation that Democritus was more scientifically inclined than other Greek philosophers of the time.ĭemocritus was mostly ignored and disliked by other fellow philosophers in the then Athens. It is difficult to separate the contribution of Democritus from this joint work, but their theory on atoms does appear similar to the modern understanding of atomic structure.

He worked in close tandem with Leucippus, who was his mentor. His work is of immense value and an undeniable contribution to the process.ĭemocritus was born around 460 BC in Abdera, Thrace. He is acclaimed for formulating an atomic theory of the universe. Although his version of the atomic model is very different from the modern theory, his methods and conceptions are very similar to those of the modern formulation. Democritus, an ancient Greek philosopher, stands tall as one of the founders of modern science.

Aristotle atomic theory