Atoms: Building Blocks of Matter

 Dalton's Atomic Theory

1. All matter is composed of extremely small particles called atoms.           2. Atoms of a given element are identical in size, mass, and other properties; atoms of different elements differ in size, mass, and other properties.                                                                                              3. Atoms cannot be subdivided, created, or destroyed.                              4. Atoms of different elements combine in simple whole number ratios to form chemical compounds.                                                                      5. In chemical reactions, atoms are combined, separated, or rearranged.

Works Cited 

Davis, R., Frey, R., Sarquis, M., & Sarquis, J. (2009).      Modern chemistry. Orlando, FL: Holt, Rinehart, and Winsten  

"Atom." Wallpapers for PC. Wallpapers for PC, 15 Nov. 2012. Web. 03 Oct. 2013.

Introduction

Theories on atoms have been around for as long as 2000 years ago. The early thinkers include Democritus, and some of his successors, which one is Aristotle. Democritus came up with the word "atom" which means "indivisible".

Foundations of Atomic Theory

Almost all Chemist believed the modern definition in the late 1700's. But there were many questions that followed, for example, would elements always have the same ratio when combined. As research continued, laws started to apear. The law of conservation of mass states that during physical and chemical changes, matter is neither created nor destroyed. The law of definite proportions states that despite the size of a sample, the elements will form in the exact same formation. Law of multiple proportions states that "two or more different compounds are composed of the same two elements, then the ratio of the masses of the second element combined with a certain mass of the first element is always a ratio of small whole numbers" (p. 68).

 Modern Atomic Theory

Not all of Dalton's Atomic theory is correct due to technology advancement. Even though Dalton's theory says we cannot split an atom, today we can because of the technology. Even though some of Dalton's theory was proven wrong, it has been modified to fit the new advancements. "The important concepts that all matter is composed of atoms and that atoms of any one element differ in properties from atoms of another element remain unchanged" (p. 69).

Created By Josiah Baker and Carter Broszeit