Question

State the main postulates of Dalton’s atomic theory.

Answer 1

1. Matter consists of small indivisible particles called atoms, i.e., an atom is the basic unit of matter.
2. Atoms of the same element are alike in all respects, i.e., atoms of hydrogen have the same properties, such as mass and density, and atoms of oxygen are alike in all respects.
3. Atoms of different elements are different from each other. i.e., atoms of hydrogen are different from atoms of oxygen.
4. An atom can neither be created nor destroyed.
5. Atoms combine with other atoms in a simple whole-number ratio, forming compounds or molecules.