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One hundred years ago, who could have believed that an atomic granularity lies hidden behind the smoothness of liquids and gases? These atoms were too small to see and didn't play a role in the practical science of the laboratory.
The proof is in matter's properties, and Einstein explained how to read it. Measurable properties of sugar solutions set the sizes of molecules, and the jiggling of pollen grains in water revealed the motions of molecules.
John D. Norton is a Professor and Chair of the Department of History and Philosophy of Science at University of Pittsburgh.
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