Atomic and Atomic Theory (Essay Sample)

Student’s Name Professor’s Name Course Number Date ATOM AND ATOMIC THEORY The discovery of atoms has led to the rapid growth and development of science and technology. The contribution of scientists such as Hans, Ernest, and Rutherford has led to the spread of knowledge on the origin of atoms, and people now understand property, structure, and the interaction of atoms in an element. In physics, atoms were first discovered by Leucippus and Democritus, who believed that matter could undergo a series of divisions into a smaller particle (Kumar 67). Both Greek philosophers thought of continuously dividing a substance until the remaining tiniest particle can not be further divided, and they called the indivisible smallest particle an atom. Scientists further performed several experiments to determine the composition of an atom. Under the supervision of Rutherford, Hans and Ernest conducted a gold foil experiment, which involved the passing of alpha particles through a thin sheet of gold foil and observed that some particles were reflected away from the gold foil surface (Kumar 73). Rutherford, therefore, proved that atoms contain positively charged particles known as the neutron. On the other hand, Thomson conducted an experiment using the cathode ray tube and phosphors plates (Kumar 71). He applied high voltage, which caused particles to flow from cathode to anode. Some particles were deflected from the negatively charged plate, and he noted that atoms contain negatively charged subatomic particles known as electrons. Furthermore, Dalton concluded (through his experiment) that matter contains tiny subatomic particles, be it gas, solid or liquid, and...