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Dalton's atomic theory proposed that all matter was composed of atoms, indivisible and indestructible building blocks. While all atoms of an element were identical, different elements had atoms of differing size and mass.

John Dalton provided the basic theory about the nature of matter, which came to be known as Dalton's atomic theory.

According to Dalton's atomic theory, all matter is composed of small particles called atoms.

Dalton provided some postulates of this theory. Some of the important ones are:

  1. All matter is made of very tiny particles called atoms, which participate in chemical reactions.
  2. Atoms are indivisible particles, which cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction.
  3. Atoms of a given element are identical in mass and chemical properties.
  4. Atoms of different elements have different masses and chemical properties.
  5. Atoms combine in the ratio of small whole numbers to form compounds.
  6. The relative number and kinds of atoms are constant in a given compound.

So, as we see in the postulates, Dalton's atomic theory provided an explanation for the law of conservation of mass and the law of definite proportions.

The postulate of Dalton's atomic theory, i.e., "Atoms are indivisible particles, which cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction." is the result of the law of conservation of mass.

The postulate "The relative number and kinds of atoms are constant in a given compound." can explain the law of definite proportion.

However, later it was found that there are some drawbacks of Dalton's atomic theory.

  1. The postulate "Atoms are indivisible particles, which cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction." was proven wrong. Atoms can be further divided into three subatomic particles: electrons, protons, neutrons.
  2. Dalton's atomic theory says "Atoms of a given element are identical in mass and chemical properties.". However, atoms of the same element can have slightly different masses.
  3. The theory says "Atoms of different elements have different masses and chemical properties." But, even atoms of different elements can have the same mass.

Hope you could understand.

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