Discovering Atoms

by Natalie Goldstein, Margaret Christine Campbell

Overview

The earliest humans understood matter on a very basic, practical level. Through trial and error they determined which rocks could make good spearheads and good pounding or grinding stones. The Bronze Age began about 2000 BCE when rocks containing copper and tin were heated together. The combination of the two metals yielded the alloy bronze. Metals played a significant role in the growth of chemical knowledge. Important questions were posed—what exactly was happening to individual material objects when they were mixed together and transformed into a different substance? The search for answers would lead to generations of the greatest thinkers, philosophers, and scientists on the quest to discover the most basic building block of matter—the atom. This beautiful and engaging narrative presents the fascinating story of the atom’s discovery, which is full of bizarre theories, false starts, dead ends, and inspiring intellectual insight and vision.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781448847006
Publisher:	The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc
Publication date:	08/30/2011
Series:	Scientist's Guide to Physics Series
Pages:	112
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	NC1230L (what's this?)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

Table of Contents

Introduction 4

Chapter1 Ancient Theories of Matter 8

Chapter 2 Moving Beyond Alchemy Toward Chemistry 17

Chapter 3 Discovering Chemical Laws and Properties 29

Chapter 4 Atomic Rays, Particles, and Radiation 46

Chapter 5 Building a Better Atomic Model 58

Chapter6 Quantum Physics and the Discovery of New Subatomic Particles 75

Timeline 89

Glossary 96

For More Information 101

For Further Reading 106

Index 108

Editorial Reviews

Series Review: The Scientist's Guide To Physics"The Books Carefully Track The Various Experiments And Discoveries That Eventually Led To Our Current Knowledge Of The Universe. With Clear Explanations Of Scientific Principles, Photographs, Diagrams, And I

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