Robert+Boyle+-+Rob+and+Alex

Robert Boyle, was the first person to define element as being a substance that could not be broken down into simpler substances. In the time of Robert Boyle only fourteen elements were known, this number increased dramatically.He was also able to distinguish the difference between elements, compounds and mixtures.

Robert discovered a new element, phosphorus. It glowed in the dark and the heat of friction would set it afire. He put phosphorus to practical use to make the first match. He soaked paper in phosphorus and dipped a splinter of wood in sulfur. When he drew the splinter of sulfur-tipped wood across the paper, the match burst into flames.

Robert Boyle proved that sound does not carry in a vacuum. He confirmed Galileo's claim that without air resistance a feather and a lump of lead would fall at the same speed. He also showed that as the pressure on a gas increased, the volume decreased in a predictable way. He proved that air itself followed scientific laws.