According to Dalton’s atomic theory, all matter, whether an element, a compound, or a mixture is composed of small particles called atoms. The postulates of this theory may be stated as follows:
- All matter is made of very tiny particles called atoms.
- Atoms are indivisible particles, which cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction.
- Atoms of a given element are identical in mass and chemical properties.
- Atoms of different elements have different masses and chemical properties.
- Atoms combine in the ratio of small whole numbers to form compounds.
- The relative number and kinds of atoms are constant in a given compound.
You will study in the next chapter that all atoms are made up of still smaller particles.
