ATOMIC STRUCTURE
Module 2
Key Questions:
• What makes up an atom?
• How do these components differ from
each other?
• How are these components arranged
inside the atom?
• How is an atom different from an ion?
THE DALTON’S ATOMIC
THEORY
Start of the Modern Era of Atoms
THEORY
• Test
subject to further - • Verification
• Modification
A theory is accepted as long as no new
evidences disprove it.
CONTRIBUTIONS OF EARLY
SCIENTISTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF
THE ATOMIC THEORY
GREEK
YEAR PHILOSOPHER / CONTRIBUTION
SCIENTIST
Around proposed the idea of
Leucippus &
500 BC atom as the smallest
Democritus
particle of matter.
GREEK
YEAR PHILOSOPHER / CONTRIBUTION
SCIENTIST
Proposed the Law of
Conservation of Mass
1777 Antoine Lavoisier (could be explained by
atoms being
indivisible).
GREEK
YEAR PHILOSOPHER / CONTRIBUTION
SCIENTIST
proposed the Law of
Definite Composition
Joseph Louis
1794 (could be explained
Proust
using the idea of
atoms.
GREEK
YEAR PHILOSOPHER / CONTRIBUTION
SCIENTIST
Proposed the Law of
Multiple Proportions
1803 John Dalton (could be explained
using the idea of
atoms).
• The three laws governing chemical
changes served to support the
atomic theory proposed by Dalton
in 1803. Without the works of
these scientists, Democritus idea of
atoms could not have turned into a
theory.
John Dalton (1766 -1844)
British chemist,
lecturer, and
meteorologist
Assumptions in Dalton’s Atomic Theory
1) All matter is made up of indivisible
and indestructible basic particles
called atoms. Atom is the smallest
particle of matter.
Assumptions:
2) All atoms of a given element are the
same, both in mass and in properties.
Atoms of different elements have
different masses and properties.
Assumptions:
3) Atoms cannot be created or
destroyed. They just rearranged and
remain unchanged during chemical
reaction.
Assumptions:
4) Compounds are formed when atoms
of different elements combine in the
ratio of small whole numbers.
Significance of the Dalton’s Atomic Theory
• Gave us the best description of atomic view
of matter (during his time and very closely
to what we know now)
• Introduced us to the properties of atoms
(the atomic weights).
Significance of the Dalton’s Atomic Theory
• Explained the Law of Definite Proportions
[Proust 1799]
- All samples of a compound contain
same weight proportions of constituent
elements.
Significance of the Dalton’s Atomic Theory
•Explained the Law of Conservation of Mass
- “Initial Mass = Final Mass”
- Only reorganizing of unchangeable
atoms occurs in chemical reaction.
Inconsistencies in the Dalton’ Atomic Theory
Assumption Flaw
1. Atom is the There are still
smallest particle smaller particles
of matter. than atom
(electron, proton,
neutron)
Inconsistencies in the Dalton’ Atomic Theory
Assumption Flaw
2. Atoms of the Isotopes (atoms of
same element has the same element
the same but different atomic
properties (size, mass)
shape, mass)
1. Which scientist offered proof that
atoms exist?
A. Leucippus
B. Dalton
C. Democritus
D. Isaac Newton
1. Which scientist offered proof that
atoms exist?
A. Leucippus
B. Dalton
C. Democritus
D. Isaac Newton
2. Who was the first person to express
the view that matter is composed of
tiny particles called atom?
A. Aristotle
B. Dalton
C. Democritus
D. Rutherford
2. Who was the first person to express
the view that matter is composed of
tiny particles called atom?
A. Aristotle
B. Dalton
C. Democritus
D. Rutherford
3. Which of the following statements is
NOT a part of Dalton’s Atomic Theory?
A. All matter is composed of atoms.
B. An atom contains a dense central
nucleus.
C. Atoms can combine to form
compounds.
D. Atoms of different elements are
quite different.
3. Which of the following statements is
NOT a part of Dalton’s Atomic Theory?
A. All matter is composed of atoms.
B. An atom contains a dense central
nucleus.
C. Atoms can combine to form
compounds.
D. Atoms of different elements are
quite different.
4. In what way was Dalton’s atomic theory more
scientific than that of the Greek Philosophers?
A. Dalton investigated the atom structure
using cathode ray tube.
B. Dalton’s postulates later have been
disapproved by other scientist
C. Dalton’s atomic theory was based on
empirical laws of chemical combinations.
D. Early Greek philosophers viewed atoms
based on philosophical explanations.
4. In what way was Dalton’s atomic theory more
scientific than that of the Greek Philosophers?
A. Dalton investigated the atom structure
using cathode ray tube.
B. Dalton’s postulates later have been
disapproved by other scientist
C. Dalton’s atomic theory was based on
empirical laws of chemical combinations.
D. Early Greek philosophers viewed atoms
based on philosophical explanations.
5. Which statement disproved Dalton’s Atomic
Theory?
A. atoms are the smallest particle of matter.
B. atoms must combine in simple whole
number ratios.
C. atoms of a particular element have identical
properties.
D. atoms of most elements exists as
combination of isotopes having different
masses and stabilities.
5. Which statement disproved Dalton’s Atomic
Theory?
A. atoms are the smallest particle of matter.
B. atoms must combine in simple whole
number ratios.
C. atoms of a particular element have identical
properties.
D. atoms of most elements exists as
combination of isotopes having different
masses and stabilities.
