Introduction:

Often, we describe a cup without any liquid in it as empty. But is it truly empty? In fact, the cup is filled with air and is not empty. Vessels we label as empty are also filled with air. So, what is air? Air is a mixture of various gases, including nitrogen and oxygen, which are substances. Substance, as defined, is anything with mass and occupies space. Therefore, air is a substance, even though you cannot see or touch it with your hands. So, what about things you can see, taste, smell, and touch? Most of them are also substances. Look at the things around you and identify which ones qualify as substances. Does light have mass or occupy space? Is the heat from the sun or a heater considered a substance? Heat and light do not occupy space and have no mass; hence, they are not considered substances. The same applies to sensations and thoughts.

Why is air considered a substance, but not light?

Article elements:

1.    Components of Matter:

2.    Ancient Ideas:

3.    Contribution of Lavoisier:

4.    Dalton's Atomic Model:

5.    Thomson's Model:

6.    Rutherford's Model:

7.    Bohr's Model:

8.    Modern Atomic Model:

9.    Conclusion:

Components of Matter:

Imagine breaking a large piece of wood into smaller parts. Are these smaller parts made of the same substance as the large piece of wood? Continue cutting the wood into smaller and smaller parts. Do the small pieces still possess the characteristics of the large wooden piece? If you reach the smallest possible piece of wood, will it resemble the large wooden piece? Is there a limit to reaching the smallest piece? Over the centuries, people have asked similar questions about the nature of matter.

Ancient Ideas:

Democritus, a Greek philosopher who lived around 460 to 370 BCE, believed that the universe consists of void and extremely tiny particles of matter. He thought these particles were so small that they could not be divided into smaller parts. He named these tiny particles "atoms," meaning indivisible. Currently, an atom is defined as the smallest part of matter composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Contribution of Lavoisier:

The chemist Antoine Lavoisier focused on studying matter, especially its changes. Before him, people believed that matter disappeared or appeared due to changes. Lavoisier explained that the mass of wood and the oxygen it reacts with during combustion equals the mass of ash, water, carbon dioxide, and other gases produced during the burning process. Similarly, the mass of a piece of iron, oxygen, and water equals the mass of rust resulting from the reaction. Lavoisier's experiments led to the law of conservation of matter, stating that matter is neither created nor destroyed but only transformed, subject to divine power.

Dalton's Atomic Model:

Around 1800, the chemist John Dalton, influenced by Lavoisier's experiments and others, pondered on designing an atomic model to explain the results of those experiments. Dalton's atomic model is a set of ideas and not a material model. He believed that matter is composed of extremely small particles that cannot be seen with the naked eye. He also believed that each type of matter consists of only one type of atom. For example, gold atoms, which make up gold ore, are responsible for the shiny appearance of a gold ring. Similarly, iron rods are composed of iron atoms, and these atoms give iron its unique properties. Dalton's model was accepted at that time as the atomic theory of matter.

Thomson's Model:

Scientist J.J. Thomson, through experimentation, demonstrated the existence of negatively charged particles in the atom, which he called electrons. He became famous for the cathode ray experiment, and based on its results, Thomson proposed a model of the atom as a sphere with electrons scattered throughout, embedded in a positively charged matrix.

Rutherford's Model:

Later, Rutherford, through his groundbreaking and famous experiment, concluded that most of the atomic volume is empty, and atoms consist of an extremely small nucleus containing positively charged particles called protons. He proposed that electrons are dispersed in the surrounding empty space. Another scientist, Chadwick, through scientific experiments, discovered a neutral particle inside the nucleus, which he called the neutron.

Bohr's Model:

At the beginning of the 20th century, Bohr presented evidence that electrons orbit the atomic nucleus at different energy levels. The innermost energy level close to the nucleus can hold only two electrons, and the higher energy levels farther from the nucleus can accommodate more electrons. To illustrate these energy levels, some scientists believed that electrons revolve around the nucleus in orbits at specific distances, similar to the planets orbiting the sun.

Modern Atomic Model:

As a result of ongoing research, scientists have concluded that electrons have both wave-like and particle-like properties, and energy levels are not precisely defined. Electrons exist around the nucleus in an electron cloud.

Conclusion:

1. The evolution from the simple idea of matter as indivisible particles to complex models involving atoms, nuclei, and electron clouds demonstrates the continuous progress of our understanding.

2. Let's continue to question and explore because science drives human progress and understanding of the world. In each exploration, we come closer to uncovering the secrets of nature and understanding the depths of the substance that forms the foundation of our existence.

3. It shows how our understanding of the nature of matter has evolved over the ages. From ancient ideas about atoms and division to detailed models like Rutherford's and Bohr's, we have reached the modern atomic model, indicating the wave and particle nature of electrons around the nucleus.

4. This progress illustrates how continuous scientific research reflects the ongoing development of our understanding of the world around us.

5. Understanding the composition of matter enhances our appreciation for the complexity and diversity of the universe. The scientific horizon has brightened with the development of our understanding of mater and atomic structure, but there is always more to discover and comprehend in this exciting field filled with challenges and mysteries

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