Introduction
Atoms have become an important study item not only in the scientific field, but also in the overall study field. Atoms have a basic meaning as being a unit of any chemical element. This is only but a basic understanding of what an atom is. Atoms have a history from which it got its basic definition dating back to the Greek period. Early Greek ideas about atoms were diverse based on what the perception and mentality was. The understanding of atoms in the ancient Greek empire was more of a philosophical than scientific. The basic thought during the ancient period was that in the event that you saw matter or element of matter, however minute, then you could see atoms (Melsen, 117).
Different meanings were drawn in a bid to understand the basic meaning of atoms. Other philosophers of that century believed that most of the things had atomic components. Whatever was seen or perceived to be in extent assumed the kind of shape it had on the understanding that the elements had atoms formed in different shapes. The description of atoms by the early Greek philosophers seemed so real though some of the thoughts could not be independently verified. Some of the thoughts and ideas about atoms were not very accurate (Krebs, 6).
Galileo was one of the central figures in the ancient times that tried to bring into an understanding the basis of atoms (Lederman & Dick, 75). However, he was criticized at how he tried to translate the meaning behind atoms. He could not verify how atoms could not be divided in any form and the very elements have a zero chance of occupying some space. His theory of atoms was not well articulated and thus, did not form any basis of trying to understand atoms.
Modern understanding of atoms was, however championed by Isaac Newton. This is one of Greeks most renowned theorists. He tried to develop a theory based on the basic understanding of the concept of atoms. Newton talked of the atoms being held together by molecular forces that actually defined what the atoms really were (Weir, 25). In is expanded thought of atoms; he argued that when molecules that hold the atoms are attracted to one another, the only resultant force was kinetic energy (Pullman, 211). The idea of kinetics as well as electric force was developed by newton in his bid to bring into understanding the concept of atoms. His thoughts and ideas have been used from the time of inception. Other thinkers tended to have more meaning attached to the concept of atoms.
Conclusion
It was argued that the term atom was to refer to a substance that could not be divided further through any means, be it chemically. However, it is the theory of the kinetics and electricity that defined the term atom. It was argued that atoms were the most important elements that made the formation of individual items. Chemical and mechanical understandings derive their basis on the understanding of atoms (Chande, 168).
Though some of the scholars and scientists have not agreed on what really constitutes an atom, there is a general understanding of the concept of atoms. The general understanding that has existed both in the ancient and modern times is that atoms exist and make up the elements. The concept of atoms being held by molecules has both an ancient and modern thinking. Understanding of the concept of atoms requires diverse and intellectual study of the concept both in the ancient and modern times.
Works Cited:
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Lederman, Leon M, and Dick Teresi. The God Particle: If the Universe Is the Answer, What Is
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Melsen, Andrew G. M. From Atomos to Atom: The History of the Concept Atom. Mineola, N.Y:
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