Which statement best explains how Democritus was both right and wrong about atoms being indivisible?

• A. Democritus was right because atoms are indivisible and cannot be broken down further.
• B. Democritus was right that atoms are made of protons, neutrons, and electrons, but wrong about their indivisibility.
• C. Democritus was right that atoms are the smallest units of matter, but wrong because atoms can be divided into subatomic particles.
• D. Democritus was wrong because atoms are not the smallest units of matter, and he was also wrong because atoms cannot be divided.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand Democritus' original idea: He proposed that atoms are the smallest indivisible units of matter, meaning they cannot be broken down into smaller parts.
2. Recognize the modern atomic theory: Atoms are indeed the smallest units that retain chemical properties, but they are composed of smaller subatomic particles—protons, neutrons, and electrons.
3. Analyze how Democritus was right: He correctly identified that matter is made up of discrete units (atoms) rather than being infinitely divisible.
4. Analyze how Democritus was wrong: He did not know about subatomic particles, so his claim that atoms are indivisible is incorrect based on current scientific knowledge.
5. Conclude that the best explanation balances both views: Atoms are the smallest units of matter in a chemical sense, but they can be divided into smaller particles, which Democritus did not account for.