Question

Friedrich Wöhler refuted the scientific concept of vitalism during the early 1800s by proving that organic molecules could be synthesized outside a living organism. True or False

Answer 1

True

Step-by-step explanation:

Friedrich Wöhler's experiments in the early 1800s played a significant role in refuting the scientific concept of vitalism. Vitalism was the belief that organic molecules, which are found in living organisms, could only be produced by living organisms and could not be artificially synthesized. Wöhler's groundbreaking experiment involved the synthesis of urea, an organic compound found in urine, from inorganic chemicals. By successfully synthesizing urea outside a living organism, Wöhler demonstrated that organic molecules could be created through purely chemical processes, disproving the notion that they required a vital force or vital spark present in living organisms.

Answer 2

True, Friedrich Wöhler demonstrated the synthesis of urea, an organic compound, from inorganic materials in 1828, refuting vitalism.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that Friedrich Wöhler refuted the scientific concept of vitalism during the early 1800s by proving that organic molecules could be synthesized outside a living organism is True. Wöhler's experiment in 1828 involved the synthesis of urea, an organic compound, from inorganic starting materials - specifically silver cyanate (AgOCN) and ammonium chloride (NH4Cl). This groundbreaking work demonstrated that organic molecules do not require a 'vital force' from living organisms for their creation, thereby countering the theory of vitalism and advancing the understanding of organic chemistry.