Atomic Theory

Dalton put forth the following tenets as part of his modern atomic theory. These postulates are based upon the knowledge of how substances react to form new products.

Dalton's Atomic Theory

1. All matter is made up of atoms. Atoms are indivisible and indestructible.

2. All atoms of a given element are identical in mass and properties.

3. Compounds are formed by a combination of two or more different kinds of atoms.

4. A chemical reaction involves the rearrangement of atoms.

According to the above tenets, the atom is seen as a solid billiard ball, incapable of being broken down further. Each element would have its own unique billiard ball which would be identified from other elements by mass. The cause of this difference, however, was unknown to scientists at this time.