PHY 204 presentation

Group 1 presentation on Scientist and their discoveries on the
atomic structure
Group members
Aleke Favour
Odeyemi peace
Richard Divine
owoeye Mofiyinfoluwa
John Dalton
John Dalton, an English chemist, formulated his atomic theory

in the early 19th century based on his experiments and
observations. He proposed that all matter is composed of
indivisible particles called atoms that cannot be created or
destroyed, and that each element is made up of atoms that are
identical in size, mass, and chemical properties. He also
suggested that atoms of different elements can combine in
simple whole-number ratios to form compounds, and that
chemical reactions involve the rearrangement of atoms.
Dalton's atomic theory was based on several key observations

and experiments. He studied the ratios in which elements
combine to form compounds, and he found that these ratios
were always simple and consistent. For example, he observed
that one gram of hydrogen always combines with eight grams
of oxygen to form water, and that one gram of carbon always
combines with two grams of oxygen to form carbon dioxide.
Dalton also studied the behavior of gases and their properties,

such as pressure, volume, and temperature. He found that
gases
always combine in simple ratios by volume, and he proposed
that the atoms of gases are in constant motion and that their
collisions with one another cause pressure.
In addition to these experiments and observations, Dalton also

drew on the work of other scientists, such as Antoine Lavoisier,
Joseph Proust, and John Gay-Lussac, who had made significant
contributions to the understanding of chemical reactions and
the properties of gases.
Dalton's atomic theory was groundbreaking, but it was not

without its contradictions with other scientists of his time. For
example, some chemists believed that atoms were not
indivisible but composed of smaller subatomic particles.
Furthermore, some scientists believed in the existence of
"caloric," a hypothetical fluid that was thought to be
responsible for heat transfer, while Dalton believed in a
different theory of heat transfer based on atomic motion.
Despite these contradictions, Dalton's atomic theory was widely

accepted and formed the basis for modern chemistry and
physics
It was later refined by other scientists, such as J.J. Thomson and
Ernest Rutherford, who discovered the existence of subatomic
particles and the structure of the atom.
Postulates of Dalton’s Atomic Theory
 All matter is made up of tiny, indivisible

particles called atoms.
 All atoms of a specific element are identical in
mass, size, and other properties. However, atoms
of different element exhibit different properties and
vary in mass and size.
 Atoms can neither be created nor destroyed.
Furthermore, atoms cannot be divided into smaller
particles.
 Atoms of different elements can combine with
each other in fixed whole-number ratios in order to
form compounds.
 Atoms can be rearranged, combined, or
separated in chemical reactions.
Limitations of Dalton’s Atomic Theory
 It does not account for subatomic

particles: Dalton’s atomic theory stated that
atoms were indivisible. However, the discovery
of subatomic particles (such as protons, electrons,
and neutrons) disproved this postulate.
 It does not account for isotopes: As per
Dalton’s atomic theory, all atoms of an element
have identical masses and densities. However,
different isotopes of elements have different
atomic masses (Example: hydrogen, deuterium,
and tritium).
 It does not account for isobars: This theory
states that the masses of the atoms of two
different elements must differ. However, it is
possible for two different elements to share the
same mass number. Such atoms are called isobars
(Example: 40Ar and 40Ca).
 Elements need not combine in simple,
whole-number ratios to form
compounds: Certain complex organic compounds
do not feature simple ratios of constituent atoms.
Example: sugar/sucrose (C11H22O11).
 The theory does not account for
allotropes: The differences in the properties of
diamond and graphite, both of which contain only
carbon, cannot be explained by Dalton’s atomic
theory.
Robert Brown
Robert Brown was a botanist who discovered the phenomenon

of Brownian motion in 1827, which provided evidence for the
existence of atoms and molecules. Brownian motion refers to
the random movement of microscopic particles suspended in a
fluid, such as water. Brown observed that pollen grains
suspended in water moved in a zigzag motion, which he
attributed to the irregular motion of the water molecules
colliding with the pollen grains.
Brown's discovery provided evidence for the existence of atoms

and molecules, which had been hypothesized by scientists such
as John Dalton and Amedeo Avogadro. However, Brown did not
directly observe atoms and molecules, but rather inferred their
existence from the behavior of the suspended particles.
Brown's discovery was initially met with skepticism by some

scientists who believed that the motion of the particles could
be explained by other factors, such as electric or magnetic
forces. However, subsequent experiments by other scientists,
such as Jean Baptiste Perrin, confirmed Brown's observations
and provided further evidence for the existence of atoms and
molecules.
It is important to note that Brown's discovery did not directly
lead to the atomic model as we know it today. The
development of the atomic model involved the work of many
scientists over a period of several decades, building on the
observations and discoveries of previous scientists such as
Brown.
Neils Bohr contradictions
Neil's Bohr was a prominent physicist who made significant

contributions to the field of quantum mechanics. One of the
most well-known contradictions Bohr had with other scientists
was with Albert Einstein regarding the interpretation of
quantum mechanics.
Einstein believed that quantum mechanics was incomplete, and

there had to be some underlying physical theory that could
explain the strange behavior of subatomic particles. Bohr, on
the other hand, argued that quantum mechanics was a
complete theory and that there was no underlying physical
reality.
Bohr and Einstein had many debates and exchanges on this

topic, and their discussions even led to the development of the
famous EPR paradox. While Bohr's approach to quantum
mechanics has become widely accepted, Einstein's views still
have a significant following among physicists today.

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Group 1 presentation on Scientist and their discoveries on the

John Dalton, an English chemist, formulated his atomic theory

Dalton's atomic theory was based on several key observations

Dalton also studied the behavior of gases and their properties,

In addition to these experiments and observations, Dalton also

Dalton's atomic theory was groundbreaking, but it was not

Despite these contradictions, Dalton's atomic theory was widely

 All matter is made up of tiny, indivisible

 It does not account for subatomic

Robert Brown was a botanist who discovered the phenomenon

Brown's discovery provided evidence for the existence of atoms

Brown's discovery was initially met with skepticism by some

Neils Bohr contradictions

Neil's Bohr was a prominent physicist who made significant

Einstein believed that quantum mechanics was incomplete, and

Bohr and Einstein had many debates and exchanges on this

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