CHEMISTRY BEFORE

MODERN HISTORY
(Atomos,Aristotle,Alchemy)

Presented by
ROMMEL C. DESUYO,LPT
Physical Science Teacher
Objectives:
1. Discuss key developments in the concept of the atom and
element throughout pre-modern history.

2. Discuss key developments in the practical application of

chemistry throughout pre-modern history.

3. Articulate the contributions of alchemy as a protoscience to

chemistry.
WARM ME UP

ALCHEMY
Follow Up Questions?
1.What is the Video clip all about?
2.Describe the type of science present in the video?
 MISSION 1
Instruction: Given the name of proponents in the left side, match each contributions to the development of
modern chemistry. Write the complete match of answers. Place it in a manila paper. Select a member to present
the output. DO FOLLOW THE RUBRICS FOR ACQUIRING ADDITIONAL POINTS.

Name of Proponents Beliefs that lead to Development of Chemistry

 Infinite number of elementary natural substances in the form of
1. Jabir Ibn-Hayyan infinitesimally small particles.
2. Aristotle  Four kinds of matter is composed of geometrical solids.
 Four elements could be balanced in substances in an infinite
3. Plato number of ways.
4. Anaxagoras  Came up with the preparation of acids such as nitric,
5. Empedocle hydrochloric and sulfuric acids.
 Everything is made up of four eternal and unchanging kinds of
6. Leucippus matter, fire, air (all gases), water (all liquids and metals) and
7. Democritus earth (all solids).
 Atoms themselves are solid, homogeneous and cannot change.
 Things are made up of much smaller things.
 LETS MAKE IT CLEAR!
Atomism, non-atomistic views of the Greeks, the growth of alchemy across
different civilizations, Western Alchemy.
Leucippus and Democritus were two of the most important theorists about the
natural and physical world. They were called physicists in Ancient Greece. They considered the
idea of atomism, or the idea that things are made up of much smaller things that cannot be
changed nor divided. Among the features of their theory were the following:
• Atoms make up most of the things in the universe; where there are no atoms, there is a void.
• Atoms are incredibly small and cannot be divided, hence atomos (uncuttable).
• Atoms themselves are solid, homogeneous and cannot change.
• Atoms moving about and colliding in the void cause the changes we see in our universe.
• The shapes, sizes and weights of individual atoms influence the characteristics of the thing
they make up; e.g. sharp atoms cause our tongues to tear and make bitter or sour tastes, and
atoms that compose clay are joined by flexible joints which harden when the clay is baked.
LETS MAKE IT CLEAR!
• The philosopher ANAXAGORAS argued that there was an infinite number of
elementary natural substances in the form of infinitesimally small particles that combined
to comprise the different things in the universe.
• Another theory by a philosopher named EMPEDOCLES stated that everything is made
up of four eternal and unchanging kinds of matter, fire, air (all gases), water (all liquids
and metals) and earth (all solids).
• The well-known philosopher PLATO further expanded Empedocles’ theory by saying
each of the four kinds of matter is composed of geometrical solids (the “Platonic solids”)
further divisible into triangles. When rearranged, these triangles could cause the apparent
transformations between the four basic kinds of matter.
• ARISTOTLE, on the other hand, believed that the four elements could be balanced in
substances in an infinite number of ways, and that when combined gave proportions of
“essential qualities,” hot, dry, cold and wet. Transformations between the four elements (or
changes in their balance in a substance) caused changes in the universe.
LETS MAKE IT CLEAR!
• The Mesopotamians had techniques to utilize metals like gold and copper. They even assigned
certain symbols to match metals with the heavenly bodies such as the Sun and Moon. They also
made use of other materials such as dyes, glass, paints, and perfumes.
• The Egyptians adapted techniques from the Mesopotamians and perfected the use of bronze, dye
and glass that the Greeks later copied.
• The Chinese also had their own processes for metalwork and ceramic materials, but they especially
focused on finding minerals, plants and substances that could prolong life. Some of the substances
discovered in Chinese medicine have been found to have actual positive effects while others were found
useless or even harmful, like mercury.
• The Indians, like the Chinese, had a kind of alchemy (rasayana) that looked at different substances
and practices for Vedic medicine. This is tied closely to Hindu and Buddhist beliefs. They also perfected the
use of iron and steel and were well-known manufacturers of dyes, glass, cement, solutions for textiles, and
soap.
• The Arabs and Muslims enriched not only the practice but also the literature of chemistry. In
particular, the scholar Jabir Ibn-Hayyan, also known as Geber, translated the practices and
Aristotelian thinking of the Greeks and wrote extensively on how metals can be purified. He came up with
the preparation of acids such as nitric, hydrochloric and sulfuric acids, as well as aqua regia (nitro-
hydrochloric acid).
Scientific Contributions
 Refined how to crystallize, condense, distill, evaporate and dissolve metals
and materials.
 Took lots of notes and information about what they did.
 Developed step-by-step procedures and specialized set-ups or equipment.
 Discovered and investigated the properties of many now-useful substances
such as phosphorus, sulfur and potash.

Unscientific Contributions
 Used incantations, magic spells and symbols
 Used esoteric symbols connected to astrology and religion
 Concerned with riches, purity, immortality, and spirits
 Promoted the Aristotelian concept of the elements
Evaluation:

Direction: Given the following statement, identify the following.5 points each

1.A precursor that allowed the field of chemistry to be what is today.

2.An unscientific field of study which later developed into real science.
3.He translated the practices and Aristotelian thinking of the Greeks
4.He came up with the preparation of acids as nitric acids.
5.They able to own processes for metalwork and ceramic materials.
6.They even assigned certain symbols to match metals with heavenly bodies such as Sun and
Moon.
7.He believed that the four elements could be balanced in substances in infinite ways.
8.He expanded Empedocles theory that four kinds of matter is composed of geometrical solids.
9.Argued that there was in infinite number of elementary natural substances in the form of
infinitesimally small particles.
10.An idea that things are made up of much smaller things that cannot be changed nor divided.