How did Democritus contribute to the atomic theory?

His mentor, Leucippus, originally came up with the atomic theory, but it was then adopted by Democritus. The atomic theory stated that “The universe is composed of two elements: the atoms and the void in which they exist and move.” According to Democritus atoms were miniscule quantities of matter. read more

Democritus, an ancient Greek philosopher, was not the first to propose an atomic theory, as his mentor Leucippus originally proposed it. Democritus adopted the theory, developed it further, and provided a more detailed and systematic view of the physical world. read more

Democritus Democritus was born in Abdera, Greece in 460BC. He lived to be 90 years old, dying in the year 370BC. He studied natural philosophy in Thrace, Athens, and Abdera, Greece. He enjoyed studying geometry as well. Democritus traveled to many places some of which including India, Egypt, and Babylon. Democritus was never married. read more

Diogenes Laertius summarized Democritus atomic theory as follows in Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers: “That atoms and the vacuum were the beginning of the universe; and that everything else existed only in opinion. That the worlds were infinite, created, and perishable. read more