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In ancient Greek philosophy the term
atom
(the indivisible) was used to
describe the small indivisible pieces, of which matter consists. Father of the
Atoms
so-called
Atomism
theory was the Thracian philosopher Leucippus (in
Greek Leucippos, 450-370 BC), a student of the philosopher Zenon from
Helea. According to Leucippus and to his student the Thracian philosopher
Democritus (in Greek Democritos - Δημόκριτος, 460-370 BC)
matter is built
of identical, invisible and indivisible particles, the atoms
(in Greek atoma).
Atoms are continuously moving in the infinite empty space
. This infinite
empty space exists without itself being made of atoms. Atoms show
variations in their form and size and they tend to be bound with other
atoms. This behaviour of the atoms results in the building of the material
world. According to Democritus, the origin of the universe was the result of
the incessant movement of atoms in space.