Monday, December 5, 2016

Everything about Dalton's Atomic Theory

In 1808 John Dalton proposed the atomic theory and it states:
1. All elements are made up of small,indivisible particles called atoms
2. Atoms can neither be created nor destroyed.
3. Atoms of the same element are alike in every aspect, and differ from atoms of all other elements.
4. When atoms combine with other atoms, they do so in simple ratios.
5. All chemical changes result from the combination or the separation of atoms.

MODIFICATIONS TO DALTON'S ATOMIC THEORY

1. All elements are made up of small indivisible particles called Atoms, was proven wrong by Ernest Rutherford who discovered protons, neutrons and electrons.
2. During nuclear reaction, some atoms are  created and some are destroyed which prove that atoms can neither be created nor destroyed is wrong.
3. The atoms of the same element are alike in every aspect and differ from atoms of all other elements , this was proven wrong after the discovery of Isotopes(the same atomic number but different mass number). Chlorine has two different atoms or isotopes which differ in their neutron content and hence in their relative atomic masses.
4. During chemical reaction there is combination of atoms in small whole numbers. This is generally true for inorganic compounds, but not for organic compounds because carbon forms large organic molecules. Even silicon which is inorganic forms some complex trioxosilicates (v)  involving large numbers of atoms

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