Marie Curie and the Atomic Theory
explanatory Essay
1440 words
The Atomic Theory is a theory that explains what matter is made of. The Atomic theory states that matter can’t be divided as it is made up of minute particles called atoms that cannot be separated. The very word atom is derived from the Greek word Atmos which means indivisible.
Atomic theory timeline-
Year Person/People Event
442 BCE Democritrus and Leucippus These Greek philosophers came up with the idea that all matter is composed of indivisible elements.
1803 John Dalton British chemist and physicist John Dalton theorised that matter is composed of spherical atoms (that are in motion) of different weights and are combined in ratios by weight.
1896 Wilhelm Rontgen Discovered that certain chemicals glowed when exposed to cathode rays. These chemicals were special because they weren’t deflected by the magnetic field produced in the cathode ray tube (which was built by Sir William Crookes in 1870).
He Called these X-rays.
1896 Henri Becquerel Accidentally discovered spontaneous radioactivity.
1898 Pierre and Marie Curie Pierre and Marie hypothesised that radioactive particles cause atoms to break down, then release radiation that forms energy and subatomic particles.
1898 JJ Thomas Discovered the electron, using properties of cathode rays.
1900 Max Planck Introduced the quantum theory- stating that electromagnetic energy could only be released in quantized form.
His ‘quanta’ are now referred to by physicists as ‘photons.’
1905 Albert Einstein Created special and general theories of relativity and speculated upon the particle nature of light. This was the basis of understanding nuclear energy.
1908 Robert Millikan Measured the charge of an electron. The charge of one electron is known as the elementary charge.
1909 -- Ernest ...
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...ces are secondary sources, I had to be very careful that the websites that I chose contained reliable information and diagrams. I believe that I have been very careful with my sources and have chosen ones that are both accurate and informative and have helped me to develop my ideas about Marie Curie and the atomic theory in many ways.
Works Cited
http://www.softschools.com/timelines/atomic_theory_timeline/95/ http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/themes/physics/curie/ http://www.buzzle.com/articles/accomplishments-of-marie-curie.html http://www.aip.org/history/exhibits/curie/resbr2.htm http://www.earthmagazine.org/article/benchmarks-henri-becquerel-discovers-radioactivity-february-26-1896 http://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/200412/history.cfm http://www.nist.gov/pml/general/curie/1927.cfm
http://www.aip.org/history/curie/brief/03_radium/radium_2.html
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the atomic theory states that matter can't be divided as it is made up of minute particles called atoms that cannot be separated.
- Explains that greek philosophers came up with the idea that all matter is composed of indivisible elements.
- Explains that john dalton theorized that matter is composed of spherical atoms of different weights and are combined in ratios by weight.
- Explains that they discovered that certain chemicals glowed when exposed to cathode rays. these chemicals were special because they weren't deflected by the magnetic field produced in a cathedral tube.
- Explains pierre and marie's hypothesis that radioactive particles cause atoms to break down, then release radiation that forms energy and subatomic particles.
- Introduces the quantum theory, stating that electromagnetic energy could only be released in quantized form.
- Explains that they created special and general theories of relativity and speculated upon the particle nature of light. this was the basis of understanding nuclear energy.
- Explains that the charge of an electron is known as the elementary charge.
- Explains how he developed the theory for the structure of the atom. he used a ‘gold foil’ experiment to prove the existence of atomic nucleus.
- Explains the bohr atomic model, which consists of electrons orbiting around the nucleus.
- Explains how electrons move in wave formation and develops the shrodinger equation that describes how the quantum state of a system changes with time.
- Explains that the neutron component of the atomic nucleus allowed scientists to make synthetic elements in a laboratory.
- Proposes a 'quark model' which describes elementary particles that have no substructure which means that they can't divide.
- Narrates marie's marriage to pierre curie, an internationally known physicist, in 1895.
- Opines that they have been very careful with their sources and have chosen ones that are both accurate and informative. they have developed their ideas about marie curie and the atomic theory.
- Explains marie (sklodowska) curie was born in 1867 in warsaw and was interested in science from an early age. she travelled to paris to study mathematics and physics.
- Explains marie curie's discovery of uranium rays, which allowed gases to conduct electricity. marie discovered that the strength of radiation depended on the interior of the atom itself.
- Explains that marie and pierre curie were awarded the nobel prize in physics for their contribution to the understanding of radioactivity. in 1908, marie became the first woman to become a professor at the sorbonne.
- Describes marie sklodowska-curie institute of oncology, founded the radium institute in warsaw in 1932. marie died in 1934 and her and pierre's remains were reburied in the pantheon.
- Explains marie curie's work on radium, polonium, and uranium.
- Opines that marie curie was an incredibly smart lady and her scientific accomplishments were revolutionary. they believe that if technology had been available, they would have been able to protect themselves better.
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In this essay, the author
- Explains that the japanese attacked pearl harbor in 1941 and fought back against japan. president truman issued the potsdam declaration, which called for japan's unconditional surrender and listed peace terms.
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1304 wordsRead More - How Marie Curie's Discovery of Radium Transformed Science, Medicine and the Roles of Women throughout Historyexplanatory essayMarie Curie is the most influential person in history. Her discovery of radium and its uses in science and technology have grown rapidly throughout history, which has contributed to everything from health science to national security. Medical care and airport security would not be as accurate or efficient without X-ray machines and radiotherapy. Marie Curie’s discovery of radium transformed science, medicine, and the roles of women throughout history. As one of the first female scientists, Marie Curie was influential in expanding roles for women in society.
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1359 wordsRead More - The Atomic Bombanalytical essayThey new the structure and particle makeup of atoms, as well as how they behaved. During the 1930Õs it became apparent that there was a immense amount of energy that would be released atoms of Gioielli 2certain elements were split, or taken apart. Scientists began to realize that if harnessed, this energy could be something of a magnitude not before seen to human eyes. They also saw that this energy could possibly be harnessed into a weapon of amazing power. And with the adven...
In this essay, the author
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- Explains that jon hersey's hiroshima is a non-fiction account of the bombing of atomic blast and the immediate aftermath from the point-of-view of six hibakusha.
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- Analyzes how ginsberg is intrigued with plutonium in this poem.
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4490 wordsRead More - Life of John Daltonexplanatory essayIn 1803 this theory was finalised and stated that (1) all matter is made up of the smallest possible particles termed atoms, (2) atoms of a given element have unique characteristics and weight, and (3) three types of atoms exist: simple (elements), compound (simple molecules), and complex (complex molecules).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that john dalton, born 6th september 1766, developed the theory of the elements and compounds atomic mass and weights and his research in colour blindness.
- Describes how dalton identified the phenomenon of colour blindness, which he and his brother shared.
- Explains how dalton argued that the atmosphere was filled with mechanical gases and that chemical reactions between nitrogen and oxygen played no part in its construction.
- Explains the theory that all matter is made up of the smallest possible particles termed atoms. they state that simple (elements), compound (simple molecules), and complex exist.
- Explains that dalton never married and didn't really have many friends in his life. he lived with the rev. w. johns in george street, manchester.
- Explains that dalton requested that his eyes be examined to find the cause of his colour blindness. in the 1990s a study on the dna of the eye showed that he lacked the pigment that gives the sensitivity to green.
564 wordsRead More - Ancient Philosophiesexplanatory essay...ir general outlook seems quite appealing after consideration but in relation to common sense, it may be difficult to imagine. Even though through advances in science we now know those atoms are not basic; the claim that everything was different compounds of minute particles too small for human eyes to see is still genius. Although Democritus’ based his principles of atoms off Empedocles’ basic elements theory, we do not know why the philosopher decided the answer was tiny particles. The philosophical and mathematical reasoning’s behind his answer is not clear. It seems that Zeno’s fight against plurality may have helped lead the Atomist toward their conclusion of plurality.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that despite zeno's paradoxes and other presocratic arguments, they maintain a pluralistic point of view. atomists believe that everything is compounds consisting of several minute, invisible particles.
- Explains that leucippus introduced the idea that ‘what-is’ had to remain stationary by reason because there is no vacuum. his predecessors claimed stillness, but yet he could clearly see motion.
- Explains that leucippus was a pluralist who claimed there was more than just one being. zeno and the atomist argued against infinite divisibility.
- Explains that leucippus and democritus' atomism branched off empedocles' eleatic principles. he agreed that without void, there could be no movement.
- Analyzes zeno's argument against plurality resembles anaxagoras theories before him.
- Explains that the atomist answer would be when atoms become entangled they form compounds which would constitute generation (x&y). the result of entanglement does not lead to a single entity.
- Explains that division can still take place through the separation of atomic configurations. democritus and leucippus label the atoms as being eternally dense.
- Explains that zeno's idea of "place" does not exist. atomists did not give away with place, rather the infinite regression of place within place.
- Explains that atomists believed that the universe could not receive more voids, and that earth's atomic bodies separated into different bodies on different levels.
- Explains that the matter dissimilarities force particles around the void to bounce. democritus claimed atoms entangle because they differ in shape, speed, form, and size.
- Explains that the atoms inside the substance do not share the characteristics of the material itself. democritus believes that colors and softness are due to different atomic configurations.
1267 wordsRead More - Atomic Energyopinionated essayScientists from earlier times helped influence the discoveries that lead to the development of atomic energy. In the late 1800’s, Dalton created the Atomic Theory which explains atoms, elements and compounds (Henderson 1). This was important to the study of and understanding of atoms to future scientists. The Atomic Theory was a list of scientific laws regarding atoms and their potential abilities. Roentagen, used Dalton’s findings and discovered x-rays which could pass through solid objects (Henderson 1). Although he did not discover radiation from the x-rays, he did help lay the foundations for electromagnetic waves. Shortly after Roentagen’s findings, J.J. Thompson discovered the electron which was responsible for defining the atom’s characteristics (Henderson 2). The electron helped scientists uncover why an atom responds to reactions the way it does and how it received its “personality”. Dalton’s, Roentagen’s and Thompson’s findings helped guide other scientists to discovering the uses of atomic energy and reactions. Such applications were discovered in the early 1900’s by using Einstein’s equation, which stated that if a chain reaction occurred, cheap, reliable energy could b...
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the use of atomic energy negatively impacts the world because of the danger it entails.
- Explains how dalton, roentagen, and thompson's discoveries led to the development of atomic energy and reactions.
- Explains that dr. robert oppenheimer, an upcoming scientist, was a main force of the manhattan project.
- Explains how oppenheimer lost weight because of his late hours in the lab. if the manhattan project had been revealed, other nations would strive to create an even larger and more dangerous atomic bomb.
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- Explains that the two atomic bombings together caused society to suffer. the effects were long-lasting and painful.
- Explains that the bombing's effect on the world has caused competition and new efforts to protect society.
- Explains that atomic energy has had a negative effect on society since it was discovered. it has caused unnecessary deaths, illnesses, and suffering that still occurs today.
- Opines that poolos, j., the atomic bombing of hirso-shima and nagasaki.
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