JOHN DALTON’S ATOMIC THEORY

John Dalton (September 6, 1766–July 27, 1844) was a renowned English chemist,
physicist, and meteorologist. He is best known for his pioneering work in the
development of modern atomic theory. Dalton's Atomic Theory (1804)
According to john Dalton "All matter is composed of extremely small particles called atoms" the
smallest unit of a chemical element.

From his own experiments and observations, as well as the work of his peers, Dalton proposed a new
theory of the atom. This later became known as "Dalton's atomic theory"

He proposed an atomic theory that became the basis for the study of chemistry. His theory contained
five main postulates: What are these?

1.) All matter is comprised of tiny, definite particles called atoms.

– Atoms of a given element are identical in size, mass, and other properties. They cannot be
"subdivided, created, or destroyed."
 2.) Atoms are indivisible and indestructible.
– Indivisible is something that cannot be divided further into small particles while Indestructible is
something in which it cannot be destroyed.

3.) All
atoms of a particular element share identical properties,
including weight.
– Moreover, if the atoms are not identical in mass and chemical properties, the elements lose their
status of being the purest form of substance.
4.) Atomsof different elements have different masses and chemical
properties
- Compound elements are formed when atoms of different elements join in simple ratios to form
‘compound atoms’

5.) Atoms
of different elements combine in fixed whole-number ratios
when forming compounds.
- elements may combine with each other in a fixed, simple, whole number ratios to form
compound atoms. Atoms can be rearranged, combined, or separated in chemical reactions.