Empedocles 440 B.C.

Empedocles suggested that there

were four elements: Water, Earth,
Air, and Fire. It seemed logical
because when things caught fire,
moisture is released, air can be felt
coming up from it, and the ashes
show the earth that it contained.

Democtritus 400 B.C.

Democritus’s model stated that
matter consists of invisible particles
called atoms and a void (empty
space). He stated that atoms are
indestructible and unchangeable.

John Dalton 1803

Proposed an "atomic theory" with
spherical solid atoms based upon
measurable properties of mass.

J. J. Thomson1897
In this model, the atom is made up of
negative electrons that float in a “soup”
of positive charge, much like plums in a
pudding or raisins in a fruit cake.
Ernest Rutherford 1911
His new model described the atom as a tiny,
dense, positively charged core called a
nucleus surrounded by lighter, negatively
charged electrons.

Neils Bhor 1922

Niels Bohr solved this problem by
proposing that the electrons could
only orbit the nucleus in certain
special orbits at different energy
levels around the nucleus.

Louis DeBroglie 1923

Discovered that electrons had a
dual nature-similar to both
particles and
waves. Particle/wave
duality. Supported Einstein.

James Chadwick 1932

Using alpha particles discovered
a neutral atomic particle with a
mass close to a proton. Thus was
discovered the neutron.