Unit 1 text a the pre_atomic age

Pre-reading tasks

1. The text you are to read is headlined “The Pre-atomic Age”. In your opinion, what can it run about?

2. Think of and write down 4-5 questions the answers to which you expect to find in this text.

3. In pairs or small groups, discuss these questions.

4. There are some words given in bold type in the text. Match them with their definitions given in the box below. (Be careful as the verbs in the text are given in different forms).

refined, complex, subtle

idea underlying a class of things, general notion.

refusal to accept or acknowledge something.

to break, rub or fall into very small pieces.

belonging to times long past, very old.

last or live longer than.

foolish or wrong (because of wrong or bad guidance or influence).

to express disagreement, to quarrel.

supporter (of a party, etc, but not necessarily a member).

bringing or coming back into use or knowledge, instance of this.

that cannot be destroyed.

fill with creative power.

Reading

Read the text and fulfill the tasks given in Comprehension check.

THE PRE-ATOMIC AGE

Ancient Greek philosophers were the first known scientists to suggest that matter was made up of small, unseen elements, a theory described as “atomism” by Democritus of Abdera in the 5th century ВС. Earlier philosophers, and mathematicians such as Pythagoras, had suggested that regular solids were fundamental parts of the universe, and Democritus’ teacher, Leucippus, had introduced him to the idea of an atomic system. Democritus, however, elaborated on the earlier concepts and proposed a more detailed system that inspired both followers and disbelievers. Democritus’ ideas remained the most sophisticated concepts of atomic structure - and indeed maintained the concept of the atom itself- until modern times.

Democritus’ theory was based on the principle that all matter is composed of atoms: solid bits of matter of various sizes and shapes, but so small as to be invisible to the naked eye, and indestructible - the word “atom” comes from the Greek atomos, which means “cannot be cut.” At an atomic level, atoms created by the disintegration of matter, moving through space, could reform into new matter as atoms were joined together. In this fashion, all that was in the world had been created.

While Democritus’ theory, and his followers’ adaptations of it, ultimately carried the concept of the atom into the modern era, his own writings were lost in antiquity. Ironically, although his theory was quoted in the writings of his follower Epicurus (themselves quoted and preserved in a 2nd-century AD Roman work), it was rather the detailed attacks of Aristotle (who did not believe in atoms) in the 4th century AD that kept Democritus’ ideas alive. Aristotle’s arguments were echoed by other ancient philosophers and men of science in antiquity, including Cicero, Seneca, and Galen.

Based on the strength of Aristotle's reputation, which lived on past the end of the Roman Empire, his opposition to atomism also outlasted the ancient era. Arguing, among other things, that Democritus had theorized that there was “no end of the universe, since it was not created by any outside power,” the Catholic Church regarded atomism as misguided at best, heresy at worst.

Adherents of atomic theory rediscovered Democritus in the 13th century, as ancient works saved by Arab scholars were translated into Latin. By the 15th century, some Renaissance scholars braved papal disapproval for discussing atomism. It was not until the 16th century, however, that the concept regained attention as attacks on Aristotle coincided with the repudiation of Catholicism by Luther and others. As science developed in the late 16th and early 17th century, Aristotelian beliefs began to crumble. The invention of the barometer and the air pump in 1634 and 1654 respectively demonstrated that vacuum - a concept Aristotle had condemned - did in tact exist. If it did, then perhaps so, too, did atoms.

French scientist Pierre Gasscndi (1592-1655) led the revival of atomism in 1649 when he published Syntagmaphilosophiae Epicuri and argued for atoms, suggesting that they were created by God and were solid, indestructible masses that move by the grace of God to form groups that Gassendi called moleculae or corpuscular. Gassendi essentially parroted Democritus, but by cleverly insisting that atoms were a gift from God, and a manifestation of His power, Gassendi shifted atomism into an argument that the Church no longer opposed. By 1704, Isaac-Newton could write, therefore, that “It seems probable to me, that God in the beginning formed matter in solid, hard, massy, impenetrable, moveable particles, of such sizes and figures, and with such other properties, and in such proportion to space, as most conduced to the end to which he formed them.”

Comprehension check

1. Choose the best ending a, b, or c to complete the sentences.

1. Ancient Greek philosophers

1. were the first to suppose that matter was composed of small, unseen elements – atoms.

2. did not support Democritus’ atomic theory.

3. introduced the idea of an atomic system.

2. Democritus’ theory was based on the principle that

1. all matter was composed of molecules.

2. atoms were fundamental parts of the universe.

3. all substances were made up of atoms.

3. The word atom

1. originates in Greek.

2. comes from the Latin word “atomos”.

3. was introduced by Aristotle.

4. Democritus’ theory

a) was lost.

b) was kept alive due to Aristotle’s attacks.

c) was not supported by other philosophers.

5. The Catholic Church

a) disapproved atomic theory.

b) regarded atomism as heresy.

c) supported atomism.

6. The invention of the barometer and the air pump

a) disproved atomic theory.

b) confirmed the existence of vacuum.

c) supported Aristotelian beliefs.

7. Pierre Gassendi’s work

a) refuted completely atomic theory.

b) resulted in the revival of atomism.

c) proved that atoms were a gift from God.

8. Isaac Newton

a) considered that matter consisted of solid, destructible atoms.

b) was an adherent of Aristotle’s beliefs.

c) thought that God formed matter in particles of different sizes and properties.

2. Give answers to the following questions.

1. Who was the first to state that matter consists of atoms/

2. What role did Democritus play?

3. What are the main characteristics of atoms?

4. What is the origin of the word “atom”?

5. What happened to Democritus’ writings?

6. What helped to keep Democritus’ ideas alive?

7. Why did Aristotle’s beliefs outlast the ancient era?

8. Due to what events (or facts) was atomic theory revived?

9. Why didn’t the Church oppose Gassendi’s views?

10. What did Isaac Newton think about the structure of matter?

3. Prove or disprove the following statements. Give arguments in support of your viewpoint.

1. Democritus improved concepts created by his predecessors and put forward atomic theory.

2. Democritus’ theory was unanimously supported.

3. The disintegration of matter can result in its reforming into new matter.

4. Aristotle was the only philosopher who did not follow Democritus’ theory.

5. The Catholic Church strongly opposed atomism.

6. Renaissance scholars revived atomic theory.

7. The invention of the air pump proved the existence of atoms.

8. Gassendi and Newton argued in favour of atomic theory.

4. Find the key sentence in each paragraph and write them down.