Abstract
Abstract This paper presents a brief description of the prevailing ideas and hypothesis about the nature of matter from antiquity to the end of XIX century. It shows how gradually, since the Hauy proposal of the existence of the unit cell, the crystal lattice and symmetry and subsequent derivation of the 14 crystal classes by the French Physicist A. Bravais, the 32 point groups by the German mathematician A. Shoenfliess and the 230 space groups independently deduced by the Russian mathematician E. S. Fedorov and A. Shoenflies confirmed the atomic theory suggested by the Greek philosopher Democritus. These empirical and theoretical findings, conducted by several scientists, are one of the most brilliant theoretical predictions of all time in Science, fully confirmed after von Laue discovery of X-ray diffraction by crystals in 1912 and its application on the determination of molecular and crystalline structure by the English physicists W. H. Bragg (1862-1942) and his son W. L. Bragg (1890-1971).
Highlights
Since ancient times, the search for the understanding of natural phenomena has led to hypotheses about the Universe, from the origin and features of Earth’s animate and inanimate beings to those of celestial objects
The concepts and interpretations developed in Ancient Greece strongly influenced Western culture, mainly through the ideas of Socrates, Plato, Leucippus, Pythagoras, Archimedes, Democritus, and Aristotle
We can say that the concepts of the unit cell and crystal symmetry were decisive for the establishment of crystallography and, for this reason; Renée Just Haüy (Abbé Haüy) is considered the Founder of Crystallography (Figure 5)
Summary
The search for the understanding of natural phenomena has led to hypotheses about the Universe, from the origin and features of Earth’s animate and inanimate beings to those of celestial objects. Thomas Aquinas [4], an important thirteenthcentury theologian, philosopher, and priest, in order to reconcile Christian faith with rational thought in the Christian monastic schools (especially the concepts of physics, astronomy, chemistry and biology from Greek natural philosophy) creates the Thomist School of theology accepting Aristotle’s ideas, having in mind that ”both kinds of knowledge come from God” and were compatible Were they compatible, according to Thomas’s ideology, but they could work in collaboration: he believed that revelation could guide reason and prevent it from making mistakes, while reason could clarify and demystify faith. Atoms of steel have a shape that resembles hooks, which hold them solidly together; the atoms of water are smooth and slippery; the atoms of salt, as their taste shows, are harsh and pointed; the atoms of air are small and little connected, penetrating all other materials; and the atoms of the soul and of the fire are spherical and very delicate. [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
