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Democritus expanded the atomic theory of Leucippus. He maintained the impossibility of dividing things ad infinitum. From the difficulty of assigning a beginning of time, he argued the eternity of existing nature, of void space, and of motion. He supposed the atoms, which are originally similar, to be impenetrable and have a density proportionate to their volume. All motions are the result of active and passive affection. He drew a distinction between primary motion and its secondary effects, that is, impulse and reaction. This is the basis of the law of necessity, by which all things in nature are ruled. The worlds which we see - with all their properties of immensity, resemblance, and dissimilitude - result from the endless multiplicity of falling atoms. The human soul consists of globular atoms of fire, which impart movement to the body. Maintaining his atomic theory throughout, Democritus introduced the hypothesis of images or idols (eidola), a kind of emanation from external objects, which make an impression on our senses, and from the influence of which he deduced sensation (aesthesis) and thought (noesis). He distinguished between a rude, imperfect, and therefore false perception and a true one. In the same manner, consistent with this theory, he accounted for the popular notions of Deity; partly through our incapacity to understand fully the phenomena of which we are witnesses, and partly from the impressions communicated by certain beings (eidola) of enormous stature and resembling the human figure which inhabit the air. We know these from dreams and the causes of divination. He carried his theory into practical philosophy also, laying down that happiness consisted in an even temperament. From this he deduced his moral principles and prudential maxims. It was from Democritus that Epicurus borrowed the principal features of his philosophy.

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What did Democritus think the atom was?

Democritus' atomic theory states that atoms are indivisible. That's why they have their name. Atoms is a plural of atom. Atom derives from Atoms. Atoms is greek for INDIVISIBLE. His theory states that atoms cannot be divided any further.


How did democritus answer the question could matter be divided into smaller and smaller pieces forever or was there a limit to the a pieces of matter could be divided?

Democritus' response was... There is a limit, if it is to remain in its original form. He concluded that matter can only be divided to its smallest particle... an atom, to retain it's physical characteristic.


What experiments did Democritus do learn about the atom?

Democritus did not conduct any specific experiments to learn about the atom. His atomic theory was based on philosophical reasoning and logical deduction. Democritus proposed that all matter is made up of tiny, indivisible particles called atoms.


Who did not have experimental evidence to support his of the atom?

Democritus did not have experimental evidence to support his idea of the atom. Instead, his idea was based on philosophical reasoning and speculation.


Why the word atom was an appropriate term for Democritus idea.?

The term "atom" was appropriate for Democritus's idea because it derives from the Greek word "atomos," meaning "indivisible." Democritus proposed that matter is composed of tiny, indivisible particles that cannot be further divided. This concept laid the groundwork for the modern understanding of atoms as fundamental building blocks of matter, reflecting his belief in the existence of these minute entities that make up all substances.

Related Questions

Who was the first person to identify an atom and state that it could not be divided?

Democritus


What did Democritus think the atom was?

Democritus' atomic theory states that atoms are indivisible. That's why they have their name. Atoms is a plural of atom. Atom derives from Atoms. Atoms is greek for INDIVISIBLE. His theory states that atoms cannot be divided any further.


How did democritus answer the question could matter be divided into smaller and smaller pieces forever or was there a limit to the a pieces of matter could be divided?

Democritus' response was... There is a limit, if it is to remain in its original form. He concluded that matter can only be divided to its smallest particle... an atom, to retain it's physical characteristic.


What ideas about the atom did Democritus and John Dalton share?

Democritus and John Dalton both believed that atoms were indivisible and made up all matter. They shared the idea that atoms were small, solid particles that could not be divided further.


What did democritus say about the atom?

To Democritus the atom looked like a marble. Democritus theorized that matter could only broken down into pieces of a certain size. These pieces which could not be broken any further were called atoms.


What experiments did Democritus do learn about the atom?

Democritus did not conduct any specific experiments to learn about the atom. His atomic theory was based on philosophical reasoning and logical deduction. Democritus proposed that all matter is made up of tiny, indivisible particles called atoms.


Why did Democritus discover atoms?

The atom was not discovered by Democritus; Leukipus an Democitus proposed the notion of atom, but only intuitively, not experimentally.


The concept developed by Democritus was the?

The Atom.


Coined the word atom?

Democritus


Who had the first idea about atom?

democritus


Why did Democritus call the smallest piece of matter an atomos?

Democritus called the smallest piece of matter "atomos" because it means indivisible in Greek. He believed that matter could not be divided infinitely and that substances were made up of tiny, indivisible particles called atoms.


Who first proposed that all matter could be broken down into a small particle called the atom?

Democritus