B How Did Scientists Develop and Validate the Atomic Model?

  • B
  • Thread starter Thread starter Itry
  • Start date Start date
AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around understanding the foundational concepts of electricity and atomic theory from the book "Teach Yourself Electricity and Electronics." The initial confusion arises from the statement that all matter consists of tiny particles in constant motion, prompting a question about the scientific evidence behind this claim. It is clarified that the focus should be on how scientists developed the atomic model through the scientific method, rather than where they observed these particles. The conversation suggests exploring the history of atomic theory for a deeper understanding. This foundational knowledge is crucial for grasping more complex concepts in electricity.
Itry
Messages
1
Reaction score
2
I'm reading a book about electricity (Teach Yourself Electricity and Electronics) because I want to know more about electricity. So I started reading this book, seems well written, but right at the beginning I couldn't figure out what is meant. And so I had to stop. It's talking about atoms and says "All matter consists of countless tiny particles in constant motion." OK, while I am willing to accept that, how do scientists know this, I mean where did they see this?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Itry said:
OK, while I am willing to accept that, how do scientists know this, I mean where did they see this?
It's not "where" scientists saw this but "how" scientists proceeded to develop and refine the atomic model following the scientific method of forming and validating hypotheses. You might wish to read about the history of the atomic theory here.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_atomic_theory
 
Reply
  • Like
Likes gmax137 and PeroK

Thread 'The Effect of Linear and Rotational Motion on Measured Weight'

Consider an extremely long and perfectly calibrated scale. A car with a mass of 1000 kg is placed on it, and the scale registers this weight accurately. Now, suppose the car begins to move, reaching very high speeds. Neglecting air resistance and rolling friction, if the car attains, for example, a velocity of 500 km/h, will the scale still indicate a weight corresponding to 1000 kg, or will the measured value decrease as a result of the motion? In a second scenario, imagine a person with a...
View full post »

Thread 'Coulomb gauge implies instantaneous radial electric field?'

Scalar and vector potentials in Coulomb gauge Assume Coulomb gauge so that $$\nabla \cdot \mathbf{A}=0.\tag{1}$$ The scalar potential ##\phi## is described by Poisson's equation $$\nabla^2 \phi = -\frac{\rho}{\varepsilon_0}\tag{2}$$ which has the instantaneous general solution given by $$\phi(\mathbf{r},t)=\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0}\int \frac{\rho(\mathbf{r}',t)}{|\mathbf{r}-\mathbf{r}'|}d^3r'.\tag{3}$$ In Coulomb gauge the vector potential ##\mathbf{A}## is given by...
View full post »
Thread 'Does Poisson's equation hold due to vector potential cancellation?'

Thread 'Does Poisson's equation hold due to vector potential cancellation?'

Imagine that two charged particles, with charge ##+q##, start at the origin and then move apart symmetrically on the ##+y## and ##-y## axes due to their electrostatic repulsion. The ##y##-component of the retarded Liénard-Wiechert vector potential at a point along the ##x##-axis due to the two charges is $$ \begin{eqnarray*} A_y&=&\frac{q\,[\dot{y}]_{\mathrm{ret}}}{4\pi\varepsilon_0 c^2[(x^2+y^2)^{1/2}+y\dot{y}/c]_{\mathrm{ret}}}\tag{1}\\...
View full post »

Similar threads

I How Did 1900s Physicists Misjudge the Completeness of Physics?
Replies
2
Views
1K
I Source of the damping force in Lorentz model
Replies
1
Views
2K
B Can a hypothetical atom be made out of positrons and electrons ?
Replies
9
Views
3K
How to explain Bell's theorem to non-scientists
Replies
11
Views
3K
How did 19th century scientists measure atomic and molecular weight?
Replies
6
Views
5K
Recommended Books for the Inquisitive or for the fun of it
Replies
16
Views
2K
I Which version of the Kepler Problem is correct?
Replies
4
Views
1K
I How to understand experiment to measure heat capacity of solid?
Replies
1
Views
2K
B Implicit error margins based on significant figures
Replies
18
Views
2K
The Scientist as Hero - or not
Replies
1
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top