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The question is in regard to the notion of points (as constiuents of a continuum).

2007-06-05 23:59:40 · 2 answers · asked by bonshui 6 in Science & Mathematics Mathematics

2 answers

A continuum is infinitely divisible, but a single point is indivisible.

2007-06-06 00:02:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3 0

Infinitely divisible:
A non-atomic theory that believes that matter is some sort of continuous soup that can be subdivided indefinitely. That is, you can always take the smallest amount of a substance and divide it in half.

Indivisible:
In chemistry and physics, atomic theory is a theory of the nature of matter, which states that matter is composed of discrete units called atoms, as opposed to obsolete beliefs that matter could be divided into any arbitrarily small quantity.

Atomic theory began thousands of years ago as a philosophical concept, and in the 19th century achieved widespread scientific acceptance thanks to discoveries in the field of stoichiometry. The chemists of the era believed the basic units of the elements were also the fundamental particles of nature and named them atoms (derived from the Greek word atomos, meaning "indivisible"). However, around the turn of the 20th century, through various experiments with electromagnetism and radioactivity, physicists discovered that the so-called "indivisible atom" was actually a conglomerate of various subatomic particles (chiefly, electrons, protons and neutrons) which can exist separately of each other.

2007-06-06 07:09:18 · answer #2 · answered by jsardi56 7 · 0 0

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