Atomic Theory of Matter

The theory that atoms are the

fundamental building blocks of
matter reemerged in the early
nineteenth century, championed by
John Dalton.
 Dalton’s Postulates
1) Each element is composed of extremely small particles called atoms.

2) All atoms of a given element are identical to one another in mass and
other properties, but the atoms of one element are different from the
atoms of all other elements.
3) Atoms of an element are not changed into atoms of a different element
by chemical reactions; atoms are neither created nor destroyed in
chemical reactions.

4) Atoms of more than one element combine to form compounds; a given

compound always has the same relative number and kind of atoms.
Law of Conservation of Mass
The total mass of substances present at the end of
a chemical process is the same as the mass of
substances present before the process took place.
This law was one of the laws on which Dalton’s
atomic theory was based.
Lavoisier
Law of Multiple Proportions
If two elements, A and B, form more than one
compound, the masses of B that combine with a
given mass of A are in the ratio of small whole
numbers.
Dalton predicted this law and observed it while
developing his atomic theory.
When two or more compounds exist from the
same elements, they can
not have the same relative number
of atoms.
Discovery of Subatomic Particles
• In Dalton’s view, the atom was the smallest
particle possible. Many discoveries led to the fact
that the atom itself was made up of smaller
particles.
Electrons and cathode rays
Radioactivity
Nucleus, protons, and neutrons
The Electron (Cathode Rays)

• Streams of negatively charged particles were found to emanate

from cathode tubes, causing fluorescence.
• J. J. Thomson is credited with their discovery (1897).
How do we deduce from the figure that cathode rays travel from cathode to
anode?

a. The cathode and anode are labeled in figure (a).

b. A green gas exists in the vacuum tube.
c. Cathode rays consist of charge particles.
d. the manner in which the magnet diverts the path in
figure (b)
 - Fluorescent screen
Anode

In the absence of an
Cathode electric field, electrons
emitted by the cathode
are drawn to the anode,
pass through the hole in
the anode center, and
strike the fluorescent
A screen at point A.

B In the presence of an
external electric field,
electrons emitted by the
cathode eventually strike
the fluorescent screen at
High + point B. This is due to the
Voltage
negatively charged electrons
being deflected by the
negative part of the electric
field and attracted toward
Cathode ray tube the positive part of the
field.
The Electron

Thomson measured the charge/mass ratio of the

electron to be 1.76  108 coulombs/gram (C/g).
If no magnetic field were applied, would you expect the electron beam to be
deflected upward or downward by the electric field?

a. Downward because a negative particle is repelled by

a negative plate and attracted to a positive plate.
b. Upward because a negative particle is attracted to a
negative plate and repelled by a positive plate.
c. Downward because a negative particle is attracted to a
negative plate and repelled by a positive plate.
d. Upward because a negative particle is repelled by a
negative plate and attracted to a positive plate.
If no magnetic field were applied, would you expect the electron beam to be
deflected upward or downward by the electric field?

a. Downward because a negative particle is repelled by

a negative plate and attracted to a positive plate.
b. Upward because a negative particle is attracted to a
negative plate and repelled by a positive plate.
c. Downward because a negative particle is attracted to a
negative plate and repelled by a positive plate.
d. Upward because a negative particle is repelled by a
negative plate and attracted to a positive plate.
 Using a cathode ray tube and his extensive knowledge
of electromagnetic theory, Thomson determined the
ratio of electric charge to mass for an electron.

-1.76 x 108 coulombs/gram

9.10 x 10-28 g
(mass of an
Incredibly individual electron)
The coulomb (C) is a unit of small charge
electric charge. and mass!!

-1.6022 x 10-19 C
(charge on an individual electron)
R. A. Millikan successfully measured the charge on,
and mass of, an individual electron by studying the
motion of single tiny oil drops that acquired charge
from ions in the air.
Millikan Oil-Drop Experiment
(Electrons)
 Once the charge/mass ratio
of the electron was known,
determination of either the
charge or the mass of an
electron would yield the
other.
 Robert Millikan determined
the charge on the electron
in 1909.
 Robert Millikan’s (in)famous “Oil Drop” Experiment
charge -1.6022 x 10-19 C
mass of electron = ----------------- = ----------------------- = 9.10 x 10-28 g
charge/mass -1.76 x 108 C/g

charged plate oil droplets

+ +
small hole atomizer
oil droplets
under
observation

charged plate
viewing
microscope
Would the masses of the oil drops be changed significantly by any
electrons that accumulate
on them?

a. Yes, the electrons add significant mass to the oil drop.

b. No, the electrons add only a small mass to the oil drop.
c. Yes, the electrons cause the oil drops to stick together.