Laws of Matter &

Dalton’s Atomic
Theory
Reviving the Ancient Idea
Review of Lavoisier
 Defined what an element was.
 Proposed program for chemistry.
 Discovered conservation of mass.
What’s Next?
 Quite clear that Aristotle was incorrect.
 But, what then was the world made up of?
 Elements?
 But, what then were elements made up
of?
 Fortunately, advancements in
instrumentation led to more precise
balances and …
Other Laws Discovered
 Law of Definite Proportions
 Law of Multiple Proportions
 In addition to the Gas Laws and
Conservation of Mass
Which law does this picture illustrate?

Gold element = 1.00 g Gold element = 1.00 g Gold element = 1.00 g

Green element = 0.80 g Green element = 1.60 g Green element = 2.40 g
 Which law does this picture illustrate?

Hydrogen gas (2.02g) + Oxygen gas 16.00g = Water 18.02

Which law does this picture illustrate?

• Manufactured in a lab • Mined out of the ground

50% oxygen by mass 50% oxygen by mass

50% sulfur by mass 50% sulfur by mass
Which law does this picture illustrate?

• Balloon at room temperature • Balloon heated up

The Atom becomes a theory
 These developments led John Dalton to
revive Democritus’ idea of the atom and
create a theory of his own.
Dalton’s Atomic Theory
1. All matter is made of extremely small particles called atoms (in
constant motion).

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.
Conservation of mass

 Point 3: Atoms cannot be subdivided,

created, or destroyed.
 Point 4: In chemical reactions, atoms are
combined, separated, or rearranged.
Gas Laws
 Point 1: All matter is made of extremely
small particles called atoms (in constant
motion).
Law of definite proportions

 Point 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.
Law of multiple proportions

 Point 4: Atoms of different elements

combine in simple whole-number ratios to
form chemical compounds.
Theory Accepted
 Dalton’s theory was accepted because it
explained what was seen.
 But, it did not give a way to determine
molecule formulas.
 How two atoms came together and in what
ratios to form compounds.
 Dalton knew water was a 1 to 8 ratio by mass
but thought the molecular formula was HO.
 Matter
Yes No
Can it be separated
physically?
Mixture Pure Substance

Yes Uniform?
No Yes Chemically No
separated?

Homogenous Heterogeneous Compound Element

Ex. Air Ex. Granite Ex. Water Ex. Iron

Basic unit: Molecule Basic unit: Atom