What is the essence of matter? What is the mechanism for the interaction and formation of the different substances by atoms? These are some of the basic questions that have occupied many scientists, philosophers and others for centuries. Atomic theory is the scientific explanation of the atoms and matter. It developed from the ancient Greek concept of indivisible points to today’s quantum mechanical principle. In this way, various discoveries and experiments have played their part in developing atomic theory and its application, for example, nuclear energy. In this essay, the paper will introduce some of the major individuals and events in the history of atomic theory, as well as the pros and cons of nuclear energy.
Atomic theory is an accurate scientific description of the atoms and materials. It has transformed from the ancient Greek concept of indivisible corpuscles into a contemporary quantum mechanical model. One of the key figures and milestones in the development of atomic theory is John Dalton (1766- 1844). It was the first modern atomic theory proposed in 1807 based on his experiments, consistent with the laws of conservation of matter, definite and multiple proportions. As he said, matter is made up of small indivisible atoms that are from different elements which combine in fixed proportions to give rise to compounds(Thackray)
J.J. Thomson (1856-1940): He found the electron in 1897 by observing the bending of cathode rays when exposed to a magnet (Smith). He suggested the plum pudding model of an atom in which electrons are inside a positively charged sphere (Smith). Ernest Rutherford (1871-1937): In 1970, he did the renowned gold foil experiment, which proved that most of an atom’s mass and positive charge is contained in a small nucleus enveloped by a cloud of electrons (McCormmach). He also found the proton and the radioactivity (McCormmach). Niels Bohr (1885-1962): In 1913, he suggested the Bohr model of the electrons that threw light on emission and absorption spectra for the hydrogen atoms. He proposed that electrons revolve about the nucleus in discrete turn levels and can leap from one stage to another through the emission or absorption of photons (Falconer). Erwin Schrödinger (1887-1961) wrote the wave equation for an electron in 1926 when quantum mechanics began (Falconer). He proved the electron to be in a wave-like behaviour and has a probability distribution around its nucleus rather than being fixed (Brown, Priest).
Nuclear energy is splitting nuclei resulting from fusion reactions, also known as atomic fission (Tollefson). It can be used as a good power source but has environmental and safety concerns. Among the historical discoveries that have contributed to our knowledge about atoms is radioactivity, which was discovered in the late 19th and early20 20th century by Henri Becquerel, Marie Curie and Pierre Curier. Some elements, including uranium and radium, can even radiate into other components (Tollefson). This resulted in the understanding that atoms are not unitary but consist of smaller units, such as protons, neutrons, and electrons.
It starts with the positive sides before proceeding to the negatives: nuclear energy is a carbon-free, reliable and high-voltage source of electricity. In contrast to fossil fuels, it does not emit any greenhouse gases or air pollutants during its operation. It has a modest land footprint compared to other renewable energy sources like wind and solar. As a baseload power for the electric grid, it does not need weather and daylight as the preconditions (Arefin et al.). In turn, the cons are due to nuclear energy being technically a nonrenewable energy source since uranium used as the primary fuel for its production is limited and needs mining, in which case processing can be included (Arefin et al.). Second, nuclear energy has an impressive initial cost due to the construction and maintenance of the atomic power stations as well as producing radioactive waste that is harmful and difficult for safe elimination, in addition to running the risk of a catastrophic scenario if any accidents, malfunctions or terrorist attacks occur (Arefin et al.).
The Chornobyl disaster (Aitsi-Selmi and Murray, 1986), also considered the worst nuclear accident in history, occurred at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant located in Ukraine, which was then a part of the USSR. Still, several explosions and fires hit reactor number four, exploding large quantities of radioactive material into the air. The disaster killed almost 400,0 people and affected tens of millions in Europe (Aitsi-SelmiMurray). Even today, the zone around the plant is very polluted enough to be uninhabitable.
The Fukushima disaster (2011) is the second worst nuclear accident in history that happened at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan after a 9.0 log earthquake. Tsunami is mentioned as number two concerning magnitude, only surpassed by the Chornobyl disaster, which triggered an explosive release of long-lived; the natural disasters destroyed the cooling systems and backup generators of the plant, which began The accident contaminated the air and, water and soil with so much radiation that hundreds of thousands were evacuated. Decontamination and plant dismantling have continued for decades (Watt).
The last is the Three Mile Island accident (1979), also known as one of the most severe cases in US history, which took place at Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station in Pennsylvania by Oe et al. In the case of a partial meltdown in one reactor, this was caused by several failures throughout secondary systems and some human mistakes. Both accidents released a small amount of radioactive gas into the environment, but it did not result in any fatalities or significant health effects. The occurrence made many people sensitive and anxious about nuclear power safety (Oe et al.)
To conclude, atomic theory is an incredible scientific accomplishment influencing how we understand the physical world and its manifestations. Since Dalton to Schrödinger, many scientists have helped build up and use atomic theory like nuclear energy. But nuclear power also presents very significant threats and hazards: pollution of the environment, radioactive waste as well as atomic accidents. Thus, using nuclear energy responsibly and fairly while researching alternative energy sources for a sustainable future is very important.
Works Cited
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Arefin, Md Arman, et al. “A Comprehensive Review of Nuclear-Renewable Hybrid Energy Systems: Status, Operation, Configuration, Benefit, and Feasibility.” Frontiers in Sustainable Cities, vol. 3, Sept. 2021, https://doi.org/10.3389/frsc.2021.723910.
Brown, M. Bryson, and Graham Priest. “Chunk and Permeate II: Bohr’s Hydrogen Atom.” European Journal for Philosophy of Science, vol. 5, no. 3, Jan. 2015, pp. 297–314, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13194-014-0104-7.
Falconer, Isobel. “Corpuscles, Electrons and Cathode Rays: J.J. Thomson and the ‘Discovery of the Electron.’” The British Journal for the History of Science, vol. 20, no. 3, July 1987, pp. 241–76, https://doi.org/10.1017/s0007087400023955.
McCormmach, Russell. J. J. Thomson and the Structure of Light. No. 4, Dec. 1967, pp. 362–87, https://doi.org/10.1017/s0007087400002922. Accessed 15 May 2023.
Oe, Misari, et al. “Mental Health Consequences of the Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima Nuclear Disasters: A Scoping Review.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 18, no. 14, July 2021, p. 7478, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18147478.
Smith, George E. “J. J. Thomson and the Electron: 1897?1899 an Introduction.” The Chemical Educator, vol. 2, no. 6, Dec. 1997, pp. 1–42, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00897970149a. Accessed 6 Dec. 2021.
Thackray, Arnold W. “The Emergence of Dalton’s Chemical Atomic Theory: 1801-08.” The British Journal for the History of Science, vol. 3, no. 1, June 1966, pp. 1–23, https://doi.org/10.1017/s0007087400000169. Accessed 4 May 2020.
Tollefson, Jeff. “Nuclear-Fusion Breakthrough: This Physicist Helped to Achieve the First-Ever Energy Gain.” Nature, vol. 624, no. 7992, Dec. 2023, pp. 500–1, https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-023-03923-5.
Watt, Lori. “Making Japanese Citizens: Civil Society and the Mythology of The Shimin in Postwar Japan (Review).” The Journal of Japanese Studies, vol. 39, no. 1, 2013, pp. 172–75, https://doi.org/10.1353/jjs.2013.0000. Accessed 13 Sept. 2020.
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