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“ATOMIC THEORY: How They Discovered Something
Way Too Small to Be Seen”
Excerpt from That’s Not in my Science Book
By: Kate Kelly
Answer each question in the space provided. Be sure to write all answers in your own words. If there
are any questions you find confusing, answer them as best you can and mark them for discussion in
class.
1. What is meant by the statement, “…the science of atoms is still in its infancy,”? How long ago was
it determined that atoms exist? (137)
2. Democritus’ came up with the idea of “atomos” (138). What were atomos? What does that word
mean? Did his ideas catch on?
3. How was the scientific definition of the word element different from the Greek definition? (139)
4. Who was John Dalton? What substance sparked his curiosity? (140)
5. How did John Dalton define element? (140)
6. Read the 4 concepts of Dalton’s atomic theory and then list the TWO core concepts of the theory.
(141)
7. What did Ernest Rutherford discover in his gold foil experiment? (142-143)
8. Compare the amount of empty space in an atom to Yankee Stadium (143-144).