History Of The Elements

Question 1

What did Ancient Greek philosophers think about what everything was made of?

Answer 1

Aristotle thought everything was made from earth, water, fire & air
The Greeks were philosophers but did not test their ideas like scientists

Question 2

What did Egyptian chemists try to do?

Answer 2

They mixed different materials together to try to make gold

alchemists from the old Egyptian chemi.

Question 3

Explain the development of alchemy?

Answer 3

People tried to make gold but some alchemists doubted the four element theory and concentrated on finding out about chemicals and their reactions.

Question 4

What did Robert Boyle do?

Answer 4

He believed elements were the simplest substances.
He didn’t know which substances were actually elements
He published a book in 1680 Sceptical Chemist

Question 5

What did Antoine Lavoisier do?

Answer 5

He took Boyle's ideas and put the elements into 4 groups 
He wasn't certain which substances were true elements.
He was guillotined 
His 4  groups were
Acid making elements
Gas like elements
Metallic elements
Earthy elements

Question 6

What did Humphrey Davy do?

Answer 6

He made new elements from Lavoisiers earthy substances by using electricity
For example he made calcium from passing electricity through lime.