Pair and Share: Discuss and answer the following

questions with your partner

●What is the problem of Empedocles’
theory?
●Why do you think that Aristotle’s
5-element idea was favored than the
principles of the Atomists?
●Which one do you prefer, logical
reasoning or experimental method?
Why?
Answers: Angela Del Castillo
1. Emepedocles argued that all matter was composed of four elements: fire,
air, water and earth. Emepdocles’ theory was popular but had number of
problems such as no matter how many times you break a stone in half, the
pieces never resemble any of the core elements. Another problem is the
elements were pure but could not be found in the state on earth. Every
visible thing was made up of some combination of earth, water and fire.
2. Aristotle is a towering figure in ancient times who made important
contributions. He is very influential up to now. This made his
5-element idea more favored since people believed his works to be
more reliable since he is very influential.
3. Experimental methods involve logical reasoning. Therefore it is
better to have logical reasoning skills. We cannot jump to
conclusions in experimentations without thinking logically.
Therefore it is better to have logical reasoning skills and develop it
since it is useful in performing experimentations.
 Pair and Share: Compare and discuss
the two set of principles.
● All matter is made up of atoms that are too tiny to be seen by the
naked eyes. They cannot be broken down further into smaller portions
● Atoms are in constant motion around an empty space called the void
● Atom are completely solid
● Atoms are uniform, with no internal structure
● Atoms come in different shapes and sizes

1. Matter is composed of small indivisible particles called atoms.

2. Atoms of the same element are identical.
3. Compounds contain atoms of more than one element.
4. Atoms do not change their identities in chemical reactions. Chemical
reactions rearrange only how atoms are joined together.
Answers:
The main difference between Democritus and Dalton atomic theory is that the
Democritus atomic theory is an ancient theory which was later developed and
expanded by scientists, while the Dalton atomic theory is a new, scientific theory
which we cannot ignore due to its important statements. Democritus atomic theory is
the ancient theory explaining the nature of matter in terms of atoms while Dalton
atomic theory is a modern scientific theory describing the nature of matter in terms of
atoms. A major difference between Democritus and Dalton atomic theory is that the
atoms are infinite in number, not created and eternal according to the Democritus
atomic theory, and that the characteristics of an entity derive from the kind of atoms
that make up it. While the Dalton atomic theory explains that atoms are invisible to
the naked eye, we can not either produce or kill them, all atoms of the same
chemical elements are identical and combine forms in simple ratios from the
combination of different chemical elements. Basically, Dalton’s theory was more
successful than Democritus’ because it had scientific basis. They are similar in a way
that they both believed that all things were composed of atoms.