Module 2: Atomic Structure and the History of Atomic Theory

In this module, you have had a chance to do a little mental quantum teleportation by looking at the historic struggle to understand the tiny particle that makes up matter. The early Greeks were the first to consider the question. Of course, they did not have the means to perform the needed experiments. Since the Greeks did not perform these experiments, they discussed and philosophized about the structure of the smallest particles. They gave mankind lots to think about for generations.

It was not until the approximately the 18th century that scientific experiments were performed that led to indirect evidence that there is a very small particle common to all matter. In some people’s opinion, the most important scientific statement one can make is that all things are made of atoms. That little tiny atom determines everything about us and around us.