Particle Theory of Matter
Introduction to The Particle Theory of Matter:
The particle theory of matter was discovered in ancient Greece, when philosophers in 6th century BC held a big conference to the existence of fundamental particles of matter in nature. In 19th century, scientist named John Dalton proposed a fundamental about indivisible particle that made up all matter. In addition, he named this particle as Atom. Particle Theory of matter gained importance due to its involvement of it in many theories and postulates, use for understanding everything about particles.
In chemistry, particle theory is a theory of matter, which states that matter is composed of some discrete particles like atoms, which find the base of a particle. There are other elementary particles also included like protons, neutrons, electrons. Particle theory of matter includes how particles can grouped together to form matter. For example water particles grouped together to form water. Particle theory also includes the spacing, motion, and movement along the particles.
Some important postulates of particle theory are as follows:
- All matter is made up of tiny particles (like atoms and molecules).
- These tiny particles (atoms and molecules) are considered constantly moving.
- Particles of matter have big spaces between them. In solids, there is very small space between the particles, in liquids there is relatively larger space than solids and in gases, the particles have huge spaces between them.
- When energy is provided to them then these tiny particles move faster and undergo collisions, thereby taking up or increasing the space exists between them. On being cooled, these particles move more slowly (due to less energy) and undergo fewer collisions, thereby decreasing the space existing between them.
- Very strong intermolecular forces acting between them hold up particles of matter.
Every particle of matter for a matter is different to the particle of any other matter.
Postulates of particle theory are applied everywhere in this world. For example in case of evaporation of water (a natural phenomenon generally occurs in summers ) water particles gain energy from sunlight and tend to move as much as they can and thereby left the surface of water on gaining much higher energy resulting in the phase change of water from liquid to gaseous state. Particle theory is applied in other processes like boiling, condensation, sublimation, etc.
Particle Theory of matter is a very important theory, which is used to understand various processes occurring in our day-to-day lives. All in all this particle theory of matter tells us that there are tiny particles matters, which are always in motion, at a certain distance. This particle theory of matter helps to explain the change of phases, transfer of heat and the involvement of the properties like temperature and pressure on matter.
