Chemistry

Abstract

Earth, water, fire, and air were for almost 2000 years considered to be the four fundamental elements of the world. The work of Boyle, Dalton, and other scientists had the consequence that 92 chemical elements were eventually defined as the material basis of the world. The structure of atomic nuclei was found to be decisive for the properties of individual elements. This redefinition of the term “element” was the most important revolution in modern science because it concerned all branches of the natural sciences. Furthermore, the rise and fall of the “phlogiston” theory and the elimination of vitalism from chemistry are discussed. This chapter also describes how the history of polymer science was influenced by fallacies and their revisions. Short biographies of Boyle, Dalton, Mendeleev, Lavoisier, Wöhler, Staudinger, Mark, Carothers, and Flory are included.