An Atomic Kitten
John Dalton
John Dalton, born 6th September 1766, Eaglesfield, Cumberland and died 27th July 1844, Manchester, was a British chemist and physicist who was a keen meteorologist, developed the atomic theory of matter, and tried to explain colour blindness.
Early Teaching's
Having taught in a Quaker school for 12 years in Kendal, Cumbria, Dalton moved to New College in Manchester where he was a teacher of mathematics and natural philosophy until he resigned from his post in 1800.
In his early days of teaching Dalton was influenced by a wealthy Quaker who was a very capable meteorologist. This interested Dalton and in 1787 he began his first scientific work, to keep a diary of meteorological observations.
Dalton's Early Studies
These observations led Dalton to study gases and from the results of his experiments he was able to formulate his atomic theory. Dalton's early studies on gases led to the development of the law of partial pressures, Dalton??s Law which was later expanded and became Charles??s Law.
Dalton's Atomic Theory
Dalton??s atomic theory was expressed in public lectures in 1803 and later published in his New System of Chemical Philosophy (1808). The theory incorporated the realization that each atom has a characteristic mass and that atoms of elements are unchanged in chemical processes. This theory still serves chemists to this day.
Submitted by: Iain Patterson, 04 March 2003
