The Ideas of

the Ancient
Objective Greeks on
At the end of the the Atom
lesson, you should
be able to describe
the ideas of the
Can matter be
Ancient Greeks on infinitely divided
atoms. into smaller
particles?
The Indivisible
Atom

Democritus of Abdera (460 - 370 B.C.)

and his teacher Leucippus of Miletus
(c.500 B.C.) were Greek scholars who
believed that matter could be divided
into tiny particles until such point where
it can no longer be divided anymore.
They became the first proponents
of the atomic theory.
Try it!
Get a piece of paper.
Divide it into half as many
times as you can. What do
you notice? How would you
relate this activity to the
concept of the atoms?
 Their early ideas on atoms are
summarized below.
1. All matter is made up of tiny, indivisible
particles called atoms, which come from
the Greek word atomos meaning
uncuttable. The atoms are indestructible,
impenetrable, and unchangeable.
2. The atoms make up the universe as they
are continuously moving in a “void” that
surrounds them, repelling each other when
they collide, or combining into clusters.
3. Atoms are completely solid which
means that there is no void or empty
space inside that will make them
prone to disintegration or destruction.
4. Atoms are homogeneous in nature.
They have no internal structures.
5. Atoms come in different shapes and
sizes.
These proposed ideas about
atoms were supported by
some Greek philosophers but
were strongly opposed by
others especially Aristotle.
 Aristotle's Opposing
View on Atoms
Aristotle,a Greek
philosopher, had a
different view on
atoms. He disregarded
the existence of atoms
proposed by Leucippus
and Democritus.
He did not believe that matter is a
collection of atoms. Instead, he
believed that everything in the
universe is made up of the four
elements, air, fire, water, and earth.
He stated that believing in atoms
would mean putting restriction on the
gods, who have the power to divide
elements smaller than the atom.
Aristotle's beliefs greatly flourished
especially in the Middle Ages in
Europe, where Roman Catholics were
strongly influenced by his ideas.
They believed that ideas about the
atoms equated to Godlessness.
Thus, the whole concept of the atom
was dismissed for centuries. However,
the Greeks' concept of atoms and
even Aristotle's arguments were
rediscovered in France at the start of
the Renaissance period.
The theory of Aristotle was proven
incorrect, and Democritus' and
Leucippus' theory on the existence of
atoms was proven right.
Explore!
Choose one digital photo and
zoom in. Can you see a group
of tiny squares? They are called
pixels. How can you relate
them to atoms?
What do you think?
Isthe early idea of the
existence of the atom true?
 Key Points
 Democritus and Leucippus, ancient Greek
philosophers, first proposed the idea of the atom.
 Their theory states that all matter is made up of
tiny, indivisible particles called atoms.
 They believed that the atoms are very small,
have different shapes and sizes, are continuously
moving, and can combine with other atoms.
 Aristotle did not believe that matter is strictly a
collection of atoms, and that matter can be
made of air, fire, water, or earth.
 Democritus’ idea on the existence of atoms was
accepted, and Aristotle’s argument was proven
incorrect.
Question 1
Who among the following scholars
proposed that matter is composed of
tiny, unbreakable particles?
1 Democritus 2 Empedocles
3 Leuccipus 4 Aristotle
A. 1 and 2
B. 1 and 3
C. 2 and 3
D. 2, 3 and 4
Question 2
In what ancient nation did
Democritus and Leuccipus come
from?
A. Russian Empire
B. Dacia
C. Greece
D. Persia
Question 3
Which of the following is the Greek
word that means uncuttable?
A. atom
B. atomos
C. antion
D. actonos
Question 4
Which of the following
is not made up of atoms?
A. water
B. heat
C. stone
D. smoke
Question 5
Which of the following early ideas of the
atom tells you that an atom has no
parts?
A. Atoms make up the universe as they
are continuously moving in a void that
surrounds them.
B. Atoms are homogeneous in nature.
C. Atoms are completely solid.
D. Atoms are made of the same material
but have different shapes and sizes.
Question 6
Which of the following early ideas of the
atom explains that the atoms of water
are different from the atoms of a stone?
A. Atoms are made of the same
material but have different shapes
and sizes.
B. Atoms are small particles.
C. Atoms cannot be divided further.
D. Atoms continuously moving in a void
that surrounds them.
Question 7
Onyok found a piece of a shell along the
seashore. He smashed it with a rock until it
turned into fine powder. What idea of the
atom can you relate from this scenario?
A. Atoms are made of the same material
but different shapes and sizes.
B. Atoms are unlimited and continuously in
motion.
C. Atoms can combine with other atoms.
D. Atoms cannot be divided further.
Question 8
Okja visited the park. She saw lots of things,
from people, pets, benches, trees, up to
different cars. All of these are made up of
atoms. What early notion of the atom
would relate to these things?
A. Atoms are unlimited and continuously in
motion.
B. Atoms can combine with other atoms to
form different materials.
C. Atoms are small and compact particles.
D. Atoms cannot be divided further.
 Question 9
Luna dissolves a spoonful of sugar in a glass of
water. She tastes the mixture, and it tastes
sweet. Although she cannot see the sugar,
she knows that it is present in the mixture.
What early idea of the atom would relate to
this example?
A. Atoms can combine with other atoms.
B. Atoms are made of the same material but
different shapes and sizes.
C. Atoms are small and cannot be seen with
the naked eye.
D. Atoms cannot be divided further.
 Question 10
Why did Aristotle strongly oppose the
concept of atoms?
A. He believed that everything in the
universe is made up of four elements.
B. He thought that believing in atoms
would mean putting restriction on the
Gods
C. He thought that molecules, not atoms,
are the smallest particles.
D. He believed that atoms exist, but they
do not comprise matter.