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Atomic Theory Timeline

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Atomic Theory Timeline

Atomic theory timeline illustration

🧪 Part 1: Key Scientists and Discoveries

1. Who was the first person to propose the idea of atoms?

John Dalton

Democritus

J.J. Thomson

Ernest Rutherford

2. Which scientist discovered the electron?

Niels Bohr

John Dalton

J.J. Thomson

Democritus

3. Who discovered the nucleus of the atom?

Ernest Rutherford

Niels Bohr

Democritus

John Dalton

4. Fill in the blanks about Democritus:

Democritus was an ancient _____________ philosopher who lived around _______ BCE. He believed that all matter was made of tiny, indivisible particles called ____________. His ideas were based on _____________ thinking rather than experimental evidence.

5. What does the word "atom" mean in Greek?

The word "atom" comes from the Greek word "atomos" which means _______________.

📅 Part 2: Timeline Ordering

6. Number these scientists in chronological order (1-5) based on when they made their discoveries:

_____ Niels Bohr (electron orbits)

_____ Democritus (first atomic idea)

_____ J.J. Thomson (discovery of electron)

_____ John Dalton (modern atomic theory)

_____ Ernest Rutherford (discovery of nucleus)

7. Explain why Democritus's ideas were important even though he had no experimental evidence:
8. How did atomic theory change over time? Give two examples:

🔬 Part 3: Scientific Thinking

9. What is the difference between philosophical thinking (like Democritus) and modern scientific method?
10. Choose one scientist from the timeline and explain why their discovery was important for our understanding of atoms:

Scientist chosen: _________________________

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