1.1 Introduction to the particular nature of matter

How can we understand the fundamental nature of matter? The idea that all matter is made up of atoms originated from experimental evidence that could only be explained if matter consisted of particles. Initially, the classical theory proposed that matter was composed of earth, air, fire, and water. However, this theory lacked predictive power and failed to account for the diverse range of chemical compounds, leading to its abandonment.

 

Through the systematic study of chemical changes, scientists discovered many elements that could not be broken down into simpler substances. The observation that these elements combined with each other in fixed proportions strongly suggested the existence of atoms. This empirical approach, relying on observation and experimentation, eventually gave rise to the modern atomic theory.