The Scientific Odyssey

In parallel with the chemical research being done to provide support for an atomic theory of matter, there was also work being done in the discipline of physics.  In this episode we discuss developments in the fields of thermodynamics and kinetic theory that supported the idea of atoms moving through a void.

In this episode, developments in electrochemistry by Berzelius, Faraday, Arrhenius, Oswald, van't Hoft and Werner are discussed.

A discussion of the development of the periodic table beginning with Prout's protyle and ending with Mendeleev.  Much of the material for this episode has been developed from Eric Scerri's, "The Periodic Table, Its Story and Its Significance."

This episode discusses the life and contributions of John Dalton with particular focus on his development of the Billard Ball model of the atom.

Reflections on chemistry by Michel Eugene Chevreul on the occasion of his 100th birthday.

A discussion of Carl Scheele, Joseph Priestly, Antoine Lavoisier and the discovery of oxygen.

An examination of the work in pneumatic chemistry from Black to Lavoisier that established chemistry as an fully experimental science.  A discussion of the rise and fall of the phlogiston hypothesis as a scientific case study is included.

From Bruno to Boscovitch, this episode of the podcast suveys the development of the intellectual and experimental lanscape of Renaissance Europe as it moves closer to answer the question of the nature of matter.

In this supplemental episode we look at the scholarly work of the first of the great Arabic "hakim" and the foundations of developing a scientific method.

In this episode, we look at how atomism survives 1500 years of opposition and neglect to reemerge after The Great Mortality.

Here we work through the responses to Democritus' atomism by Plato, Aristotle and Epicurus.

This podcast introduces a new series on the history of the atom and begins the discussion with the ideas of the earliest Greek philosophers beginning with Thales and culminating with the atomism of Democritus.

A discussion about some of the misconceptions people have about scientific inquiry and those who pursue it.  Topics include creativity in science, the moral obligation of science and scientism.

Unscripted thoughts on the landing of the Philae probe on comet 67P.

Tools and structures scientists use to move ideas forward and do scientific reasoning.  Models and organizing principles are discussed as is serendipity.  Basic reasoning structure is explained through deductive, inductive and abductive methods.