Intro Flashcards
(11 cards)
Who proposed the atomic theory of matter on a firm scientific basis?
John Dalton in 1808
Dalton was a British school teacher whose work laid the foundation for modern atomic theory.
What does the word ‘atom’ derive from in Greek?
‘a-tomio’ meaning ‘uncut-able’ or ‘non-divisible’
This reflects the ancient belief in atoms as fundamental building blocks of matter.
What were the three laws explained by Dalton’s atomic theory?
- Law of conservation of mass
- Law of constant composition
- Law of multiple proportions
These laws describe the behavior of matter in chemical reactions.
What are the three sub-atomic particles that make up an atom?
- Electrons
- Protons
- Neutrons
Understanding these particles is crucial for modern atomic theory.
What is the significance of the atomic theory in chemistry?
It explains the structure of matter and chemical reactions
The atomic theory revolutionized the understanding of chemical processes.
What did earlier philosophers believe about atoms?
Atoms are the fundamental building blocks of matter
This idea was speculative and lacked experimental evidence until the 19th century.
What was a limitation of Dalton’s atomic theory?
It failed to explain the electrical charging of substances like glass or ebonite
This indicated the need for a more complex understanding of atomic structure.
When were the ideas about atoms revived by scientists?
In the nineteenth century
This revival was crucial for the development of modern chemistry.
Fill in the blank: The continued subdivisions of matter would ultimately yield _______.
atoms
This concept was central to the ancient understanding of matter.
True or False: Dalton’s atomic theory was able to explain all experimental results of the time.
False
While successful in some areas, it had notable limitations.
What did the experimental observations at the end of the nineteenth century establish about atoms?
Atoms are made of sub-atomic particles
This was a significant shift from Dalton’s original concept of indivisible atoms.
