Question

Which person had convinced people that matter could be divided forever?
A. Dalton
B. Democritus
C. Thomson
D. Aristotle
E. Rutherford

Answer 1

The theory which explains the concept that all objects or matter in the universe are formed of very small particles, is known as the theory of atomism. The study of atomism is divided into two types i.e., philosophical atomism which consist of theories of ancient Greek philosophers and modern atomic theories in which the concept of inner structure of atoms was explained.

Complete answer:
The theories proposed which was based on the matter are as follows:
Dalton:
In $1804$ , Dalton proposed a new theory of atoms which is known as Dalton’s atomic theory. The postulates of Dalton’s theory are as follows:
Every matter is made of small particles known as atoms.
Atoms for a specific element are identical in shape, size and mass.
Atoms are indivisible i.e.; it cannot be divided further into smaller particles.
Atoms are the smallest unit of matter which participates in a chemical reaction.
Democritus:
Around $400$ BC, Democritus theorized that the matter consists of invisible particles called atoms and voids. He stated that all atoms differ in shape, size and mass with a void existing between them. He suggested that the atoms are unchangeable and cannot be destroyed and each specific material consists of different types of atoms.
Thomson:
It was the first model which described the inner structure of atoms. In $1900$ , Thomson proposed an atomic model in which he assumed that an atom is made of thousands of electrons which are embedded in the positively charged sphere. He compared the atom with pudding and hence is also known as the plum pudding model.
Aristotle:
Aristotle and Plato proposed that the matter was infinite, continuous and exists in every form. Aristotle stated that matter could be divided into smaller parts and subparts infinitely, i.e., without any limit. Thus, this concept was called the continuous theory of matter.
Rutherford:
Rutherford in $1911$ proposed a theory, which stated that the majority of the mass of an atom is concentrated in the centre of an atom which is a positively charged species called nucleus. The nucleus is surrounded by negatively charged ions which revolve around it in a fixed circular path known as orbits.
Hence, the person who had convinced people that matter could be divided forever was Aristotle.
Thus, option (D) is the correct answer.

Note:
Aristotle rejected the atomic theory of Democritus and argued that all matter was composed of four basic elements which are air, fire, water and earth. The properties of the matter can be affected by changing the ratio of these elements. Moreover, Aristotle stated that these four elements of matter can be transformed into one another.