Q2.1CYL - Chemistry (OpenStax)

Question

In the following drawing, the green spheres represent atoms of a certain element. The purple spheres represent atoms of another element. If the spheres touch, they are part of a single unit of a compound. Does the following chemical change represented by these symbols violate any of the ideas of Dalton’s atomic Theory? If so, which one?

 

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

This doesn’t violate any of the Dalton’s postulates : Atoms can’t be created or can’t destroyed, but are redistributed in small , whole number ratios.

Step 1: Postulates of Dalton’s Atomic theory

• Matter is composed of extremely small particles known as atoms that can participate in a chemical change.
• Atoms of an element are similar in properties and mass with each other.
• Atoms of one element differs in properties from atoms of other elements.
• 2 or more elements combine in a whole number artio to form compounds.
• Atoms can neither be created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction.

Step 2: Check if any postulate is being violated

Here in the question there are four green spheres and two purple spheres present.

In the product side, there are also two purple and four green sphere (or say ,atom).

This doesn’t violate any of the Dalton’s postulates : Atoms can’t be created or can’t destroyed, but are redistributed in small , whole number ratios.