Antoine lavoisier contribution to chemistry

Lavoisier was a French chemist who was a key figure in the chemical revolution of the 18th-century. Amongst his pioneering achievements, he recognised and discovered oxygen and hydrogen — discovering the role of oxygen in combustion. Lavoisier helped bring a new scientific rigour to the subject of chemistry, using quantitative methods rather than relying on hypothesis.

He constructed a list of elements and helped to construct the metric system. Using the work of other scientists, Lavoisier was able to combine into a new common framework which broke with previous classical beliefs. He ushered in a new era of modern chemistry. Lavoisier was a wealthy French noble who used his position in the Ferme Generale to fund both his chemistry experiments and social works.

Lavoisier was born in a noble French family in Paris on 26 August His mother died when he was just five years old, but this left him very rich as he inherited her wealth. He studied at the College des Quatre-Nations, University of Paris and became interested in the sciences chemistry, botany, astronomy and mathematics. After college, he studied for his law degree, but despite being admitted to the bar, never practised as a lawyer.

Lavoisier was more interested in pursuing his interest in chemistry, geology and the natural sciences. He was influenced by the ideals of the French Enlightenment.

Antoine lavoisier contribution to atomic theory

His interest in chemistry was influenced by Etienne Condillac. Lavoisier was also concerned with issues of social welfare. He used his fortune and time to consider some of the pressing social issues of the time. In , he wrote an essay on the problem of street lighting which received the attention and praise of the king.