The Atomic Theory

Almost everything you see and touch in this

world is made up of these building blocks of
Our world is made up
of atoms, the building
matter. Despite the undeniably existence of an
blocks of matter.
atom, its model remains a theory up to this
date.

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The Concept of Atomos

The beginning of the ancient

concept of an atom started when
Democritus stated that all matter
What is the ancient concept of
What is the atomic theory? consists of tiny particles that were
an atom? so tiny that they could not be
further broken down into any
smaller pieces.

Democritus
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(470-380 BC ) 6

The Concept of Atomos The Primal Matter: What Is the Basic Element? The Primal Matter: What Is the Basic Element?

● He called these tiny particles as atomos which literally Thales (640-540 BC) thought it was water. Anaximenes (611-546 BC) thought it was air.
means indivisible.

● This concept is also known as atomism, overall it

describes an atom as both indivisible and
indestructible particle.

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The Primal Matter: What Is the Basic Element? The Primal Matter: What Is the Basic Element? Primordial Substances (Roots)

Heraclitus (540-475 BC) thought it was fire. Empedocles (430-540 BC) though it was Earth (land).

air fire water earth

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Aristotle’s Elements

In ancient times, the first four elements

are air, water, fire, and earth. For
What is Dalton’s atomic theory?
centuries, things are classified using the
four elements.

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Dalton’s Elements Dalton’s Compounds Dalton’s Compounds

In 1803, John Dalton, developed the

first atomic theory and introduced
the use of symbols to represent the
elements.

These elements can combine to

form compounds.

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 Dalton’s Atomic Theory Dalton’s Atomic Theory Dalton’s Atomic Theory

The postulates about the nature of matter on which Dalton’s Postulate 1 Postulate 2
atomic theory is based are summarized as follows: Elements are composed All atoms of a given
of extremely small element are identical,
particles, called atoms. having the same size,
mass, and chemical
properties. The atoms
of one element are
different from the
atoms of all other
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elements. 21

Dalton’s Atomic Theory Dalton’s Atomic Theory Dalton’s Atomic Model

Postulate 3 Postulate 4
Compounds are composed A chemical reaction Dalton’s atomic model is
of atoms of more than one involves only the represented as solid, hard
element. In any compound, separation, combination, or spheres, like billiard (pool) ball
the ratio of the numbers of rearrangement of atoms; it as he thought that atoms were
atoms of any two of the does not result in their the smallest particles of
element present is either an creation or destruction. matter.
integer or a simple fraction.
Dalton’s billiard model of an atom
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Dalton’s Atomic Theory Dalton’s Atomic Theory

Postulates 1 and 2 explain that, an element, regardless of For example, as a hypothetical representation of a unique
size and source, have the same properties.
Democritus’ concept of an atom marks atom as shown below, element X is different from element

the beginning of ancient ideas about the Y, so as element Z.

No two elements have the same set of properties
atom, on the other hand, Dalton’s atomic although they may be similar in some aspects.
theory marks the start of modern ideas.

atom X atom Z
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atom Y 27
 Atoms Combine in a Certain Ratio Atoms Combine in a Certain Ratio

Postulate 3 only explains that when atoms combine, the

ratio of the atoms involved must be a whole number, the
When two elements combine, ratio also plays a key role in the nature of the compound
can they form more than one formed.

compound?

Formation of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide

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Atoms Are Indestructible

Which of the following pairs are correct? If the pair is Classify the given concept if it is ancient or modern.
According to the fourth postulate of Dalton, when atoms
correct, write the word correct Otherwise, write the
combined, they are only separated, combined, or
correct partner of the first term or word.
rearranged to form a new compound. The identity of the
atoms involved are neither altered nor changed. Incorrect 1. Empedocles: fire, air, water, and earth Ancient 1. the concept of atomos

Incorrect, air 2. Anaximenes: fire Ancient 2. primal matter

Correct 3. Democritus: atomos Modern 3. Dalton’s atomic theory

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● The ancient concept of an atom began with the atom ● Modern chemistry began with Dalton’s atomic theory,
concept of Democritus. which states that The carbon dioxide in the breath that
○ all matter is composed of tiny, indivisible particles we exhale is the same carbon dioxide
● The four elements of matter are fire, air, water, and called atoms;
in carbonated drinks. Which
earth. ○ all atoms of the same element are identical;
○ compounds contain atoms of different elements
postulate of Dalton’s atomic theory
combined in whole-number ratios, and can be used to prove this
○ atoms are neither created nor destroyed in a phenomenon?
chemical reaction.
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