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Matter, though divisible in an extreme degree, is nevertheless not infinitely divisible. That is, there must be some point beyond which we cannot go in the division of matter. ... I have chosen the word “atom” to signify these ultimate particles.
John Dalton
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Matter has a fundamental limit to its divisibility, known as atoms.

This quote by John Dalton emphasizes the idea that matter is not infinitely divisible and that there are ultimate building blocks, which he refers to as 'atoms'. Dalton's assertion laid the groundwork for the atomic theory, suggesting that all matter is composed of these indivisible particles, fundamentally changing the understanding of chemistry and physics.

Themes

MatterAtomDivisibilityParticlesScience

In practice

Example use cases

In a science lecture about atomic theory, this quote could illustrate the concept of matter.

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No new creation or destruction of matter is within the reach of chemical agency. We might as well attempt to introduce a new planet into the solar system, or to annihilate one already in existence, as to create or destroy a particle of hydrogen.
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