Questions and Answers
All of the matter around us is made of _____, the chemical building blocks of our world.
atoms
Who argued that if you took the world's sharpest knife and started slicing chunks of matter, you would eventually come to a smallest piece that could not be divided further?
Greek philosopher, Democritus
Democritus called the smallest piece an ',' which translates roughly as '___.'
atom; uncuttable
Democritus argued that all material is formed from atoms, and that they are _______ and ________, but that the relationships are constantly ________.
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Which English meteorologist published a book called New System of Chemical Philosophy?
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If you use an electrical current to break down water, which two gases do you get?
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Dalton and his contemporaries recognized that a few materials, called __________, could not be broken down into other substances by any chemical means.
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The hypothesis that we now call _______ was simple in concept. Dalton suggested that for each chemical element there was a related species of indivisible objects called ______.
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Two or more atoms stuck together form a _________.
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In 1800, fewer than ___ elements had been isolated.
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Atoms may be envisioned as solid balls that stack together to form _______.
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We now know that atoms are not solid objects.
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What new process developed in the early 1800s broke molecules down into atoms?
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Most of the materials we encounter in everyday life are not elements, but rather __________ of two or more elements bound together.
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Name a few common materials that are made from a combination of elements.
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What is a light gas that has many uses besides filling party balloons?
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Pencil lead, charcoal, and diamonds are all examples of pure _______
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A lightweight metal used for many purposes is ________.
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What reddish metal is known for being a cheap and efficient conductor of electricity?
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What is described as a soft, yellow, dense, and highly valued metal?
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These six elements account for almost 99% of Earth's solid mass: ______, ______, ______, ______, ______, and ______.
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Most of the atoms in your body are ______, ______, ______, ______, with smaller but important roles played by ______ and ______.
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Most stars are formed almost entirely from the lightest element, ______.
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Among the elements used in daily life include are _____ in balloons, _____ in diamonds, ________ in cars, _______ in wires, and ____ in electronics.
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Who invented the periodic table of elements?
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Study Notes
Core Concepts of Atoms
- Atoms are the fundamental building blocks of matter, composing everything around us.
- Democritus, a Greek philosopher, proposed that matter could be divided until the smallest indivisible piece, which he termed "atomos" (meaning "uncuttable"), was reached.
- He believed atoms are eternal and unchanging, although their arrangements continuously shift.
Historical Contributions to Atomic Theory
- John Dalton, an English meteorologist, published "New System of Chemical Philosophy" advocating that matter consists of atoms, backed by emerging evidence from chemistry.
- Activation of water electrolysis through electrical currents results in the separation of hydrogen and oxygen gases.
- Dalton recognized elements as pure substances that cannot be broken down chemically into simpler forms.
Molecules and Compounds
- Molecules are formed when two or more atoms bond, ranging from diatomic to complex structures.
- Most everyday materials are compounds, comprised of two or more elements chemically combined.
Elemental Composition and Properties
- Fewer than 30 elements had been classified by 1800, limiting the ability to identify patterns in chemical behaviors.
- Elements such as helium, carbon, aluminum, copper, and gold have significant roles in everyday applications—helium in balloons, carbon in diamonds, aluminum in car manufacturing, copper in wiring, and gold in electronics.
Major Elements in the Earth's Composition
- Six elements—oxygen, silicon, magnesium, iron, aluminum, and calcium—constitute nearly 99% of Earth’s solid mass.
- The human body primarily comprises hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen, with phosphorus and sulfur contributing in smaller amounts.
Contributions to Science
- Dimitri Mendeleev is credited with the creation of the periodic table, an essential tool for understanding the relationships between different elements.
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Description
Test your knowledge on key concepts from Chapters 8, 10, and 12 of the science curriculum. This quiz features essential terms such as 'atoms' and the ideas of Greek philosopher Democritus. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of fundamental scientific principles.
