Asked by CHRIS
What are three potential reasons why Avogadro’s hypothesis was not accepted during his lifetime?
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Briefly, three main reasons are:
1. Confusing terminology and concepts — atoms vs. molecules
- Avogadro’s paper relied on a clear distinction between “atoms” and “molecules” and the idea that some elements are diatomic (H2, O2, etc.). That distinction was not yet standard, so chemists misread or ignored the hypothesis.
2. Conflict with accepted atomic weights and lack of decisive experimental proof
- Daltonian atomic weights and widely used formulas (e.g., water as HO) conflicted with Avogadro’s implications. There were no straightforward, convincing measurements at the time to settle molecular formulas or numbers, so chemists preferred the established system.
3. Poor reception/visibility and opposition from influential chemists
- Avogadro’s work was published in a less-read venue, written in a way that didn’t persuade contemporaries, and was resisted by prominent authorities (e.g., Berzelius, followers of Dalton). The result: his idea was largely ignored until Cannizzaro and the Karlsruhe discussions decades later.
These three factors together explain why Avogadro’s hypothesis only gained broad acceptance long after his lifetime.
1. Confusing terminology and concepts — atoms vs. molecules
- Avogadro’s paper relied on a clear distinction between “atoms” and “molecules” and the idea that some elements are diatomic (H2, O2, etc.). That distinction was not yet standard, so chemists misread or ignored the hypothesis.
2. Conflict with accepted atomic weights and lack of decisive experimental proof
- Daltonian atomic weights and widely used formulas (e.g., water as HO) conflicted with Avogadro’s implications. There were no straightforward, convincing measurements at the time to settle molecular formulas or numbers, so chemists preferred the established system.
3. Poor reception/visibility and opposition from influential chemists
- Avogadro’s work was published in a less-read venue, written in a way that didn’t persuade contemporaries, and was resisted by prominent authorities (e.g., Berzelius, followers of Dalton). The result: his idea was largely ignored until Cannizzaro and the Karlsruhe discussions decades later.
These three factors together explain why Avogadro’s hypothesis only gained broad acceptance long after his lifetime.
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