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He could not verify his ideas experimentally because, due to the incredibly tiny size of atoms, matter behaves as if it is continuous unless you expend enough energy in the right way to probe the microscopic structure. Science in those days was limited to what you could see with the naked eye, hear with the unaided ear, smell, taste, and touch... and you certainly cannot sense atoms in that way.
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoDemocritus proposed that all matter is composed of very tiny, indivisible atoms (actually he had no idea how small they were). He could not verify his ideas experimentally because, due to the incredibly tiny size of atoms, matter behaves as if it is continuous unless you expend enough energy in the right way to probe the microscopic structure. Science in those days was limited to what you could see with the naked eye, hear with the unaided ear, smell, taste, and touch... and you certainly cannot sense atoms in that way.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoDemocritus' idea of the atom was overshadowed by the ideas of the more famous Aristotle who proposed that all things were made up of four elements; earth, air, water, and fire. This idea was accepted at the time because it seemed more logical to believe in something that you could actually see and relate to instead of "tiny, indivisible particles that were to small to even see with the most powerful microscope.
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What are two reasons that Democritus' ideas were not useful in a scientific way?
- Democritus and Leukipus ideas were not based on experiments (impossible 2 500 years ago)- These ideas were too advanced for that era
What was demicritus ideas?
Democritus formulated the first atomic theory. He said that atoms were tiny and constantly moving. Democritus was a Greek philosopher.
Why did people ignore Democritus's ideas on atoms?
Democritus gave a theory, but Aristotle shut him out. Everybody forgot about this, and there was no one looking into this, no progress was being made.
What is the name of the scientist credited with reviving Democritus' ideas regarding matter and atoms?
John dalton (Cheaters)
What was Democritus's nationality?
Democritus was a GREEK philosopher so if u absolutely have NO brains. Democritus was born in ABDERA, GREECE.
Why the ideas of Democritus were not useful in a scientific sense?
The ideas of Democritus (and Leukippus) were intuitive, not experimental; his ideas were too advanced to 2500 years ago
What are two reasons that Democritus' ideas were not useful in a scientific way?
- Democritus and Leukipus ideas were not based on experiments (impossible 2 500 years ago)- These ideas were too advanced for that era
How were the ideas of Aristotle and Democritus similar to the alchemists'?
id
How were the ideas of Aristotle and democritus similar to the alchemists?
id
Is it true that The ideas of Democritus were based on inductive reasoning?
Yes
What was a shortcoming of democritus's description of the atom?
Democritus's ideas were not helpful in explaining chemical behavior because they lacked experimental support.
What was demicritus ideas?
Democritus formulated the first atomic theory. He said that atoms were tiny and constantly moving. Democritus was a Greek philosopher.
Why did the ancient Greeks reject Democritus' ideas about atoms?
The greeks rejected democritus's idea because they thought that there was something smaller than the atoms.
Who discovered that atoms small hard particles?
Democritus
Why did people ignore Democritus's ideas on atoms?
Democritus gave a theory, but Aristotle shut him out. Everybody forgot about this, and there was no one looking into this, no progress was being made.
Why weren t Democritus's ideas accepted?
2 500 years ago these ideas were too revolutionary, abstracts and strange.
Did Democritus describe that Atoms are small hard particles?
No, Democritus was the first to think of atoms, Dalton thought the atom was an indestructible sphere.
