Scientist

Years of discovery 400BC

Major contribution to the theory Suggested that all matter is composed of atoms. He created the original atomic theory. They created the idea that the atom exists and that it is indivisible. He developed the theory that all matter consisted of four elements: Earth, Air, Water and Fire. He disbelieved that all matter is composed of atoms Explained that any element even with a simple substance could not be broken down by any known method Created a theory of the formation of the chemical compounds from elements All matter is made of tiny indivisible particles called atoms Atoms of same element are identical. The atoms of any one element are different from those of any other element. Atoms of different elements can combine in simple whole number ratios to form compounds Chemical reactions occur when atoms are separated, joined or rearranged. Assumed that equal volumes of gases at the same temperature and pressure contained equal numbers of atoms. He created symbols for the elements according the first letter or first two letters of their Latin names He created a table of elements according to their atomic weight and grouped them by familiar characteristics Built an apparatus called Crookes tube to examine rays being given off by metals. He wanted to figure out if the rays were light or electricity Determined charge to mass ratio for electrons Applied electric and magnetic fields to cathode rays Explained that radioactive materials cause atoms to break down spontaneously, releasing radiation in the form of energy and subatomic particles. Assisted in the discovery of uranium rays alongside with Henry Becquerel Alpha particles from radioactive source directed toward a very thin gold foil Proving that neutrons have a positive charge and is surrounded by negatively charged orbiting electrons. Stated that energy is radiated in small, discrete units, which he called quanta. He discovered Quantum Physics Proposed that electrons must have enough energy to keep them in constant motion.

Democritus

Aristotle

322BC

Lavoisier

1777

Dalton

1808

Berzelius

Mendeleev Crookes 1870

J.J. Thomson Marie Curie

1897

1898

Rutherford

1910

Max Planck

1900

Niels Bohr

1913

 Moseley

James Chadwick Louis de Broglie

1932

1920

He explained his theory using the motion of the planets orbiting the sun. He developed the application of the x-ray spectra to study the atomic structure. Created Moseleys law which helped arranged the elements in the periodic table in a more logical order and also advanced physics which helped supported other scientists Discovered the existence of a particle in the nucleus with no electrical charge but with a weight slightly greater than a proton. He named this particle the neutron. Showed that particles like electrons could sometimes have properties of waves. This meant that Bohr's idea of a planetary atom was not quite right. The electrons do have different discrete energies, but they do not follow circular orbits.