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Historical development of atomic theory
Historical development of atomic theory
Quiz on the development of atomic theory
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Missing equations
The understanding of the physical world changed as the development of the atomic theory progressed. The view of the world before the atomic theory is important to consider when trying to understand the kind of knowledge that people such as Democritus and Epicurus had when developing their theories that later influenced the further development of the atomic theory.
Alchemy
Alchemy is normally thought of as the transition of metals into gold. In reality alchemist are said by William H. Brock were “often concerned with a spiritual quest by humankind to make sense of the universe.” The transition of metals was only a small portion of what alchemy entailed.
There were three main terms used when describing the work of early alchemists; macrobiotics, aurifiction, aurifaction. Macrobiotics used the understanding of botanical, mineral and zoological areas and then created medicines or as the people of the alchemical times called them, elixirs. Aurifiction was the imitation of gold or other precious metals. Aurifaction was the process of actually creating gold from another metal.
Geography greatly influenced the practices of alchemists. All over the world people were exploring the natural world and its chemical and physical properties.
Rituals similar to those involved in child birth were often found in Siberia, Indonesia and African alchemical procedures. Brock comments that, “like embryos, metals grew in the womb of mother nature.” There were myths associated in the creation of metals and why they were present in the world.
In the Indian, Chinese and Arabic cultures they believed in the “elixir of life” and the alchemy taking place in these regions were focused on the body and the combination of what the body needs and what the body releases were of great importance. The Arabic culture is said to be responsible to spreading these ideas to 14th century Europe.
When focusing on the development of scientific understanding it is necessary to take a closer look at the beliefs of the natural world of the various geographic areas.
China
As stated earlier, China was more focused on producing elixirs and drugs than the transition of metals. Brock states that they waned to, “bring the body closer to a state of perfection and harmony with the universe.” Undergoing this process would eventually lead to immortality.
Naitan was the term associated with the physiological alchemy.
Today, alchemy is mostly use to change one element into another such as lead and mercury into gold and silver for undiscovered material. In Frankenstein, it tells about alchemists that who want to discover the mystery of life and the creation of inanimate objects. By look at these alchemist, Victor wants to use the alchemy that he learns from his teachers to creating life from death and he thinks it will benefit for the people.
Real Alchemy and the Alchemy used in Fullmetal Alchemist both start with similar bases, Chemistry. Though, in Fullmetal Alchemist the use of chemical science is only scene a few times, for example when Edward and Alphonse were attempting to bring back their mother, but even if not shown the thought is still there in the Law of Equivalent exchange. In the scene I stated above, they used a series of elements that a human body is made up of, they then mix these ingredients to help with the bases of the experiment, this is connected to the process of real alchemy. Though, here is where Arakawa adds in the aspect that makes the serious more fantasized and Shonen Jump like, the boys have to draw a Transmutation circle made up of geometrical shapes as well as Alchemic ruins to start the Alchemic transmutation into what they think will be there mother.Just placing the material that you need to make what you want to transmute, the knowledge of how to transmute, and equivalent exchange is not enough to make a reaction; a Transmutation circle is need (Photo of the Human Transmutation Circle is to the Right).
Gold: In The Alchemist, gold can symbolize knowledge. An alchemist is so someone who strives to be able to turn lead metal into gold. They are considered “knowledgeable” an “wise” if they are able to accomplish that. In The Alchemist it states,” …For wise men, gold is the metal that evolved the furthest.” It continues on stating, “Men have never understood the words of the wise.” When the alchemist says this, he is stating how only wise men can understand how alchemy. Regular “men”, have yet to understand it and accomplish turning metal into gold. Gold could also symbolize the lessons you learn in life. In the alchemist it states, "And what went wrong when other alchemists tried to make gold and were unable to do so? They were looking only
Dalton’s atomic theory, which stated “the atoms were tiny, indivisible, indestructible particles” (Bender), differed drastically from that of the Greeks’ in that it “wasn’t just a philosophical statement that there are atoms because there must be atoms” (Bender). Although Aristotle believed that there are four terrestrial elements, earth, water, air, and fire, Democratus believed that “a piece of a substance can be divided into smaller pieces of that substance until we get down to a fundamental level at which you can’t divide the substance up and still have pieces of that substance” (“Atoms”). Aristotle’s theory was popular, but incorrect; Democratus’s was closer to our current theory, yet he remained relatively unpopular and obscure. This demonstrates of the key way in which a personal point of view can, in fact, retard the pursuit of knowledge. The scientist with the better oratory abilities has his theories more widely accepted. Dalton’s own theory, which extrapolated upon four basic
The Alchemist was a great book about a young boy, Santiago, who wanted to travel the world. In the beginning of the book Santiago’s family wanted him to become a priest, but Santiago wanted to travel the world. Santiago’s father told him that the only people that travel the world are the rich and shepherds. When Santiago heard the information he then told his father he will become a shepherd. In response to his son’s decision, he gave his son one gold coin to buy his flock of sheep. As time went on Santiago began having a dream, a dream that he kept having. Eventually he met a merchant that he sold his wool to once a year. The boy had fell in love with the merchant’s daughter and the next year the dream was finally going to
Arsenic has been one of the elements most mentioned during the middle and even modern age. It was formerly known by Chinese, Romans, Greeks and even earlier, by the Babylonians. The Greeks used the arsenic oxide (III) as a depilatory, and 4,000 years before the Christian era, arsenic was involved in the development of early bronzes. However, the arsenic was released in early civilizations through compounds or substances containing the element, which by its color and appearance would favor the conversion of base metals into gold. It was also used by the alchemists in the method of making the pill of immortality. In the philosophy of alchemy, arsenic represents the masculine principle. The masculinity of arsenic was different, because it combined with an element that was considered as masculine such as sulfur, forming orpiment and realgar.
This has led to the promotion of philosophy that of natural science included, emerging from the
In all, Chinese medicine has changed rapidly throughout the last sixty years. The influences of Western medicine and Communist ideology have created a plural healthcare system which is nonexistent in the rest of the world. Medicine in China has become more modern and scientific, while at the same time retaining the culture, traditions, and philosophies of the Chinese people.
Because other metals were thought to be less perfect than gold, it was reasonable to believe that nature created gold out of other metals found deep within the earth and that a skilled artisan could duplicate this process. It was said that once someone was able to change, or transmute a "base" chemical into the perfect metal, gold, they would have achieved eternal life and salvation. In this way, alchemy turned into not only a scientific quest, but a spiritual quest as well. Although the purposes and techniques were often times ritualistic and fanciful, alchemy was in many ways the predecessor of modern science, especially the science of chemistry.The birthplace of alchemy was ancient Egypt, where, in Alexandria, it began to flourish during the Hellenistic period. Also at that time, a school of alchemy was developing in China.
Alchemists saw in matter something indiscrete, something without boundaries. Substances were implicated in each other, irreducible. The difference between gold and iron was simply a matter of scale, one easily able to shift into another.
Alchemy is a form of chemistry mixed with speculative philosophy that was practiced in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The goals of alchemy was to discover methods to transmute base metals into gold, find the elixir of life, and create the philosopher’s stone.
Alchemy was an early form of pseudoscience focused on a mythical substance, the philosopher’s stone. Alchemists had many conflicting views on what the stone was and what its powers were, but it was believed to be very powerful. Uses of the stone included producing the elixir of life, which could cure any illness and prolong life indefinitely, and turning ordinary rocks into precious gems. The main goal of alchemy, “transmuting base metals into gold,” was believed to be possible only when using the philosopher’s stone as a catalyst (Kauffman 69). Alchemists thought this was possible because “of their belief in the unity of all matter,” and therefore a chemical reaction could change any metal into gold, but transmuting lead was their focus (Kauffman 71).
While is a common conception that pre-modern societies are primitive compared to their modern counterpart, this is not often the case, theses societies have complex systems within their society especially within their spirituality and religion. It is this complexity that has allowed aspects of pre-modern societies to evolve and adapt into modern societies. Myths, rituals and sorcery have been terms to describe the activities of pre-modern societies, but these activities have also been found to exist within modern society as well. This essay will further discuss the connections between pre-modern and modern societies that has allowed for myths, rituals and sorcery to exist in the modern societies.
Read, John. Through Alchemy to Chemistry: A Procession of Ideas & Personalities. London: G. Bell, 1957.
New inventions are created daily; however, it is those that truly change the world that are remembered. The use and discovery of atomic energy negatively impacts the world because of the danger it entails. Many people across the world believe that the use of atomic energy is a mistake based off of past events that have occurred such as the bombings at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The abuse of atomic energy has been proven to damage society’s morale, population and could potentially destroy entire populations.